"If you want to be beautiful, make beautiful choices." — Epictetus

"To find yourself, think for yourself" — Socrates

When we remove ego, we’re left with what is real.

There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means.

This was a great day. Ran on Town Lake. Swam at Barton. Interviewed a Medal of Honor winner for dailystoicpodcast . Gave a talk to 1,000 people. Thanks to everyone who came out (and everyone who helped set it up). See ya next time.

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." — Aristotle

“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” ― Epictetus

Impressing people is utterly different from being truly impressive.

"The beginning is the most important part of the work." — Plato

When you're lacking motivation, remind yourself: discipline now, freedom later. The labor will pass, and the rewards will last.

Ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have.

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness." — Thich Nhat Hanh

I’ve been lucky enough to speak to Super Bowl-winning sports teams and NBA Champions, Special Forces Officers, Fortune 500 companies, groundbreaking startups and even at the White House. But even more excited to be on stage in Austin, TX on September 17th! Join me — Ticket at dailystoiclive.com

“Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

The pretense of knowledge is our most dangerous vice, because it prevents us from getting any better.

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” — Marcus Aurelius

A child's life should be good, not easy.

The obstacle in the path becomes the path. It's okay to be discouraged, but it's not okay to quit. We must be willing to roll the dice and lose.

My take on three of the most known self help books.

Realism and self-honesty are the antidote to ego, hubris, and delusion.

We are all our coaching trees and George Raveling was just that.

"You have power over your mind—not outside events." — Marcus Aurelius

It’s ironic that the only thing we all seem to agree on lately is that there’s a lot to be angry about.

Gonna miss this great man so much. RIP George Raveling. What a life.

Most successful people are people you’ve never heard of. They want it that way. It keeps them sober. It helps them do their jobs.

Be strict with yourself and tolerant of others, Marcus Aurelius says. Your standards are for you.

People can get lucky and win. People can be assholes and win. Anyone can win. But not everyone is the best possible version of themselves.

Leadership is not knowing. Leadership is problem solving.

One of the notecards I used while writing “Wisdom Takes Work” cc: Taylor Swift. The book comes out in the fall, but when you preorder today and get signed and numbered first editions, or a handwritten notecard (like this one), at: dailystoic.com/pages/stoic-virtues

9 short rules for a better life: 1. Wake up early 2. Focus on effort, not results 3. Read every day 4. Strict with yourself, forgiving of others 5. Seek out challenges 6. Stay a student 7. Cut toxic people out of your life 8. Think about death 9. Focus on what you can control

“When a man can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” — Viktor Frankl

Everything is practice.

“Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?” ― Epictetus

19,000 pages and 195 pounds of paper signed for the tip ins of my new book, “Wisdom Takes Work.” You can get one of these signed pages when you preorder a copy of “Wisdom Takes Work” today at dailystoic.com/wisdo… or link in bio.

The best and the greatest number of authors have asserted that philosophy consists of three parts: the moral, the natural, and the rational.

“All cruelty springs from weakness.” ― Seneca

To procrastinate is to be entitled. It is arrogant. It assumes there will be a later. It assumes you’ll have the discipline to get to it later (despite not having the discipline now).

Worried about AI? Watch this. Join me live in conversation on September 17 in Austin, TX for Daily Stoic Live. Learn more & get tickets here: dailystoiclive.com

Only a fool.

A quote taken from my new book “Wisdom Takes Work” Out October 21, but you can preorder from my link in bio or at: dailystoic.com/wisdom for exclusive bonuses. Preorder bonuses include signed and numbered first editions, bonus chapters, and even an invitation to a philosophical dinner with me.

Don’t just read books, re-read books. What's your favorite book to re-read?

If you start your day with social media, the news, or email, realize: you're starting your day at the mercy of others.

Focus on effort, not results.

Send these 4 Stoic reminders from Marcus Aurelius to someone who needs encouragement.

Never be overheard complaining… Not even to yourself.

“The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” — Marcus Aurelius

Today ask yourself: How can I be better in this moment? Not in the future or tomorrow, but now.

I’m not saying going for a walk will solve all your problems, I’m just saying there’s almost no problem that’s going to be made worse by going for a walk.

Put yourself in rooms where you’re the least knowledgeable person. Observe and learn. Ask questions.

Stop wanting things to be easy and prepare for them to be hard.