Stephen Hanselman

Publisher, Agent, Jazz Enthusiast.

Stephen Hanselman began his career as a bookseller more than 30 years ago at Fresno Pacific College. He continued to pursue his passion for bookselling at Harvard Divinity School, where he graduated in 1986 with a Master of Theological Studies degree, then founding Divinitas Books, a New England specialty chain and direct-mail operation focused on books from all religious traditions. After selling his business in 1991 he joined HarperSanFrancisco’s marketing department, beginning a 13-year tenure at HarperCollins in a variety of roles including marketing manager, marketing director, sales manager, sales director, director of product & market development, editorial director, and from 1999-2005 as publisher of HarperSanFrancisco. From 2002 to early 2005, Steve was also group publisher responsible for all activities of HarperBusiness and HarperResource, as he led all three imprints to an 85% increase in annual sales and record profits. He left HarperCollins in 2005 to found LevelFiveMedia.

PhilosophersNotes on Stephen Hanselman's Books All PhilosophersNotes

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

by Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman

This book combines two of my favorite things: Stoicism + Ryan Holiday’s wisdom. Stoicism was one of the most influential philosophy of the Roman world and has continued to influence many of history’s greatest minds. As Ryan says: It’s time to bring it back as a powerful tool “in the pursuit of self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom.” This is one of the my favorite books ever. Big Ideas we explore: the #1 thing to know about Stoicism, how to create tranquility, a good answer to “What’s the latest and greatest?!,” the 2 essential tasks in life and the art of acquiescence (aka amor fati).

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Antifragility & Modern Hērō & Stoicism

+1s Inspired by Stephen Hanselman All +1s

The Serenity Prayer
#133

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Serenity + Courage + Wisdom = A Winning Combo

In our last +1 we talked about Byron Katie’s idea that you can be in one of three businesses: someone else’s business, God’s business or YOUR business. Quick recap: We want to stay out of other people’s business and we want to stay out of God’s business as we remain exclusively (!) in our busin...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Conquering Anxiety & Stoicism

Power self-awareness success Work

You, a Farmer and His Horse
#375

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A Zen Fable on Good and Bad Luck

Once upon a time in a land far away, there was an old farmer. This man had a horse. Then, one day, his horse ran away. All the neighbors said, “Gah!! That’s such a bummer. What bad luck.” The man said, “Maybe. It is what is.” Then, one day, the horse returned!! And, lo and behold, the horse bro...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Antifragility & Stoicism

Growth self-awareness Wisdom Work

How to Reclaim Lost Time, Energy + Brainpower
#557

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Pro Tip: Practice Saying “I Don’t Know” + “I Don’t Care”

As we’ve discussed, Ryan Holiday is a modern Stoic. I think of him several times a day when I take his “Memento Mori” coin out of my pocket and flip it as I do my warm-up hike on my Trail every morning and when I’m out walking during the day—by myself or with the kids. In fact, ask Emerson what...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Conquering Digital Addiction & Stoicism

Best of Optimize conquering-digital-addiction memento-mori Philosophy stoicism technology Wisdom Work

Pankration = "All Strength"
#571

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Q: What Kind of Boxer Are You?

In our last +1, we talked about being an Optimus-Champion in our Big 3. We had fun with one of my new mantras: Champ Champ Champ. (Laughing.) (You come up with a mantra that makes your soul smile?) Today I want to talk a little more about the sport of mixed martial arts. We may think it’s a new thing a...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Antifragility & Confidence

antifragility confidence courage Grit Mental Toughness persistence Work

The Optimus Medallion
#708

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Coming Soon to a Pocket Near You!

As we prepared for our inaugural Optimize Coach program, we were thinking about some cool stuff we could send our Coaches that would symbolize our commitment. Of course, everyone will be getting an Optimize-blue t-shirt but we were trying to come up with something cool and then it hit us. Here’s the qu...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Modern Hērō

Areté big-picture Coach Eudaimonia greatest-year-ever modern-hero soul Spirit Virtue

At Least THAT Didn't Happen
#849

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Something to Consider

The other day I was out on the Trail enjoying a run. Then I kinda tripped and then slipped and then caught myself before falling. Oops. 😲 Good news: I didn’t fall hard on the pretty-much-healed but still-not-quite-100%-healed arm. Not so good news: The way I kinda caught myself and kept myself from ...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Conquering Perfectionism & Modern Hērō

conquering-perfectionism equanimity Gratitude Happiness modern-hero tool Work

The Daily Stoic Kid
#891

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What Coin Will YOU Pick Today?

In our last +1, we talked about going deep to serve profoundly. Immediately after finishing that +1, I went downstairs to hang out with the family. But… Before I stepped out of the office to check in for some Deep Love time, I actually grabbed my new collection of Daily Stoic coins so Emerson and I cou...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Fatherhood & Stoicism

Emerson equanimity Fatherhood memento-mori Philosophy stoicism Wisdom Work

Stoic Shipwrecks
#892

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And Kids at the Park Biting You

In our last +1, we had fun reflecting on a new ritual Emerson and I are having fun with. It’s been super fun to reflect on ancient Stoic wisdom via Ryan Holiday’s modern medallions. (Thanks, Ryan!) Today I want to chat about that Premeditatio Malorum coin. You know, the one featuring a ship in stormy...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

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Fatherhood & Stoicism

Emerson equanimity Fatherhood Grit Philosophy stoicism Wisdom Work

Antifragile Fuel
#898

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Aurelius on How to Make Flame and Brightness

Have you ever had an experience that annoyed you? (Hah.) Or, perhaps, a particular person who seems particularly skilled at annoying you? (Hah x2.) Me, too. (Hah x3!) So… I’m currently experiencing one of those moments with a particular individual who shall remain anonymous. 😘 We’ll skip the det...

+1 inspired by Note: The Daily Stoic

Pack:

Antifragility

antifragility confidence Grit Growth Mental Toughness Work

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Stephen Hanselman

Publisher, Agent, Jazz Enthusiast.

PhilosophersNotes on Stephen Hanselman's Books All PhilosophersNotes

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+1s Inspired by Stephen Hanselman All +1s

The Serenity Prayer #133 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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You, a Farmer and His Horse #375 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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How to Reclaim Lost Time, Energy + Brainpower #557 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Pankration = "All Strength" #571 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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The Optimus Medallion #708 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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At Least THAT Didn't Happen #849 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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The Daily Stoic Kid #891 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Stoic Shipwrecks #892 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Antifragile Fuel #898 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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The Serenity Prayer
#133

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You, a Farmer and His Horse
#375

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How to Reclaim Lost Time, Energy + Brainpower
#557

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Pankration = "All Strength"
#571

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The Optimus Medallion
#708

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At Least THAT Didn't Happen
#849

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The Daily Stoic Kid
#891

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Stoic Shipwrecks
#892

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Antifragile Fuel
#898

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