Having been born in 1951, raised by both parents, I learned stoicism, although not by explicit name. My father was a veteran of WWII and Korea, mother a traditional housewife. We were neither poor nor well off. But we were told to be thankful for what we had. If we wanted more, we did extra to earn it. Chores were assigned; extra meant picking up odd jobs common at the time: mowing lawns, shoveling snow, even babysitting (before all males were banned from such activities). I also sold things door to door as an adolescent, whether candy, flower seeds, greeting cards, and learned to enjoy sales, which later became my career for nearly 50 years
But life had ups and downs, and my parents' message was always suck it up, learn from your mistakes, ask for help, and strive to do better. I like to joke that I seldom made the same dumb mistake twice, but I'm good at coming up with new ones.
Stoicism is quite valuable for a sales rep, since you fail getting more sales than you close, for most of us. You can't let that bother you too much. Like a relief pitcher, you must forget that the previous batter got a hit, and concentrate on the new batter completely. And avoid overconfidence, by the same token. Most jobs can be examined the same way. Happiness is not gained by getting everything you want, rather wanting what you got. Your life will have happiness and tragedy. Handle each as they happen and find the path on from there
My case in point: our daughter, only child and light of our lives, drowned in September 2023. Our extended family is coping, well or poorly, and some are showing more pain than others. A few have asked me how I remain on an even keel, despite how close we were. We'll, she was a bit Stoic as well and I must live up to her example or fail my life lessons. I don't really have the ability to pass that on to some relatives because they don't have the background and wouldn't appreciate the lecture. So I continue to live as good an example as I am able. She would demand no less of me.
Chris, Thank you for wise reflections. I know you are a model for others.
As you come up on the terrible anniversary of the death of your daughter, I wish you growing peace even as your connection that will never end takes a different form.
“Thats the reason its called work” my drill sargents reply to my obvious failing enthusiasm. Work is not supposed to be “fun”. Rewarding, fulfilling, productive, but still work Ifind satisfaction in putting my shoulder to the wheel.
Having been born in 1951, raised by both parents, I learned stoicism, although not by explicit name. My father was a veteran of WWII and Korea, mother a traditional housewife. We were neither poor nor well off. But we were told to be thankful for what we had. If we wanted more, we did extra to earn it. Chores were assigned; extra meant picking up odd jobs common at the time: mowing lawns, shoveling snow, even babysitting (before all males were banned from such activities). I also sold things door to door as an adolescent, whether candy, flower seeds, greeting cards, and learned to enjoy sales, which later became my career for nearly 50 years
But life had ups and downs, and my parents' message was always suck it up, learn from your mistakes, ask for help, and strive to do better. I like to joke that I seldom made the same dumb mistake twice, but I'm good at coming up with new ones.
Stoicism is quite valuable for a sales rep, since you fail getting more sales than you close, for most of us. You can't let that bother you too much. Like a relief pitcher, you must forget that the previous batter got a hit, and concentrate on the new batter completely. And avoid overconfidence, by the same token. Most jobs can be examined the same way. Happiness is not gained by getting everything you want, rather wanting what you got. Your life will have happiness and tragedy. Handle each as they happen and find the path on from there
My case in point: our daughter, only child and light of our lives, drowned in September 2023. Our extended family is coping, well or poorly, and some are showing more pain than others. A few have asked me how I remain on an even keel, despite how close we were. We'll, she was a bit Stoic as well and I must live up to her example or fail my life lessons. I don't really have the ability to pass that on to some relatives because they don't have the background and wouldn't appreciate the lecture. So I continue to live as good an example as I am able. She would demand no less of me.
Chris, Thank you for wise reflections. I know you are a model for others.
As you come up on the terrible anniversary of the death of your daughter, I wish you growing peace even as your connection that will never end takes a different form.
“Thats the reason its called work” my drill sargents reply to my obvious failing enthusiasm. Work is not supposed to be “fun”. Rewarding, fulfilling, productive, but still work Ifind satisfaction in putting my shoulder to the wheel.
Best regards, prof B. James pair
Thanks, James. For sure, we think if it isn't fun, we should avoid it. I have some essays planned on practice.
NICE title! Great subject to cover!
THANK YOU!