Stoicism 101 | Optimize

(Wow) Optimize Coach - 500+ Heroes strong (Note: It’s not just for “Coaches”) Join us?!

SIGN IN | SIGN UP

Showing 40 results in the Stoicism pack.

All(40) +1s(22) PhilosophersNotes(17) Master Classes(1)

PhilosophersNotes (17)

The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy

by Donald Robertson

Got problems with your soul? These days, you’d see a psychotherapist. But, back in the day, it was the philosopher who’d help you optimize—they were the preferred physician of the soul. This book is about the philosophical roots of modern psychotherapy. Specifically, it outlines the connection between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Stoicism. Big Ideas we explore include being a warrior of the mind vs. a librarian of the mind, your highest human purpose, getting on good terms with your inner daimon, practicing the reserve clause and modeling your ideal sage.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Positive Psychology & Stoicism

Mind Modern Classic Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Watch PNTV
The Inner Citadel

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

by Pierre Hadot

Pierre Hadot was one of the most influential historians of ancient philosophy. In this book, he gives us an incredible look at Marcus Aurelius and his classic Meditations. You can feel Hadot’s incredible intellectual rigor and equally incredible passion for engaged philosophy. It’s inspiring. Big Ideas we explore include spiritual exercises, your inner citadel, your daimōn, amor fate, turning obstacles upside down and carpe areté.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Antifragility & Stoicism

Modern Classic Philosophy soul Spirit Top 101 Virtue

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Watch PNTV
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).

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Antifragility & Modern Hērō & Stoicism

Ancient Wisdom Mind Modern Classic Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Watch PNTV
Discourses

by Epictetus

Epictetus is known as one of the world’s leading Stoic philosophers. (Along with Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, the three make up a very interesting bunch.) Epictetus was a former slave turned philosopher who lived from 55-135 (a little later than Seneca and before Aurelius). This book is a transcription of the informal lectures Epictetus gave to his students. It’s awesome. Big Ideas we explore: why Hercules needed challenges (and so do you), what figs can teach us about greatness, the good + the bad + the indifferent and how to tell the difference, “impressions” and the tricks they play, and the fact NOW is the time to live this stuff.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Mindfulness & Stoicism

Mind Old School Classic

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot

by James Stockdale

Vice Admiral James Stockdale is an American hero. Stockdale spent nearly eight years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. He spent four of those years in solitary confinement and was repeatedly tortured. He was the commanding officer of hundreds of other U.S. soldiers and received the Medal of Honor for his service beyond the call of duty. This is an incredibly inspiring look at the powerful mind and equally powerful moral commitment of a hero. Big Ideas we explore: Being our brother’s keeper, chiseling our integrity to achieve delight with life, courage as endurance of the soul and heroes vs. bums.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Leadership & Stoicism

20th Century Classic Military Mind

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
On the Shortness of Life

Life Is Long If You Know How to Use It

by Seneca

Seneca was an old-school Roman statesman and one of history’s leading Stoic philosophers. In this book he tells us that life is only short if you don’t know how to use it and also gives us some tips on how to deal with challenging times and cultivate tranquility. Big Ideas we explore include making T.O.D.A.Y. the day, how to deal with being exiled (never know when it could happen ;), and why flexibility is the virtuous road to tranquility (and how to avoid the detours).

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Conquering Procrastination & Stoicism

Old School Classic soul Spirit Top 101 Wisdom

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Ego Is the Enemy

by Ryan Holiday

Meet the enemy: Your ego. Our guide, Ryan Holiday, wrote one of my favorite books of 2015: The Obstacle Is the Way. Ego Is the Enemy is now one of my favorite books of 2016. It’s fantastic. Big Ideas we explore include: defining ego, becoming more than a flash in the pan, finally answering the question of whether it takes 10,000 or 20,000 hours to attain mastery, the virtue and value of staying true to your own path and making it rather than faking it.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Leadership & Stoicism

Ego Mastery Modern Classic soul Spirit Top 101 Wisdom

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Courage Under Fire

Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior

by James Stockdale

James Stockdale spent 7 1/2 years as the highest ranking prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. 4 years in solitary confinement. 2 in leg irons. This book is about how he endured all of that with the wisdom of Stoic philosopher Epictetus in mind. In the Note, we explore the key tenets of Stoicism, the Stockdale Paradox, playing your role well and mastering your emotions.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Conquering Anxiety & Stoicism

20th Century Classic Biography Military Mind Resilience

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Resilience

Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life

by Eric Greitens

Resilience. As Eric Greitens tells us, it's not so much about bouncing back as it is about moving through. And this former Navy SEAL, Rhodes Scholar, boxing champion and humanitarian who's been recognized as one of the greatest leaders in the world, knows a ton about how to cultivate it by embracing failure, forging our purpose and living with virtue. Note: We’re keeping our Notes on Eric’s books up on the site as a powerful reminder of a) how hard it is to truly live these ideas and b) how important it is to trust OURSELVES as our ultimate advisors.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Antifragility & Stoicism

Military Mind Modern Classic Resilience SEAL soul Spirit Virtue

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
The Obstacle Is the Way

The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

by Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday is brilliant. So is this book. The ancient Stoics taught us how to not only accept challenges but to thrive on them. Ryan brings their wisdom to life with compelling stories of great peeps who have rocked it in the face of adversity. In the Note we'll take a quick look at the three keys to making obstacles work for us: Perception + Action + Will.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Antifragility & Stoicism

mental training Mind Modern Classic Philosophy Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
A Guide to the Good Life

Stoic Joy

by William B. Irvine

Stoicism. I love it. Although pretty obscure today, Stoicism was once the primary philosophy of the Western world. (We’ve done Notes on the three leading Stoics: Marcus Aurelius and his Meditations, Seneca and his Letters from a Stoic, and Epictetus and his Enchiridion.) In this, Note, we’ll cover some of the essential ideas of the Stoic philosophical approach along with some Big Ideas on the art of living, the true meaning of virtue, how to visualize and the fact that we’re living in a dream world.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Positive Psychology & Stoicism

Modern Classic Philosophy soul Spirit Volume II

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Loving What Is

Four Questions That Can Change Your Life

by Byron Katie

Byron Katie is best known for the four questions that make up "The Work" and in this Note we’ll take a quick look at those along with some other really cool Ideas. We'll learn to love what is by seeing our suffering as a compassionate alarm clock awakening us to our possibilities and by recognizing that if we see things as "wrong" in the world, we need to start by changing our own consciousness.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Positive Psychology & Stoicism

Female Author Modern Classic optimism soul Spirit

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Man's Search For Meaning

An Introduction to Logotherapy

by Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl survived the horrors of the holocaust and describes his Logotherapy in this classic book. In the Note, we'll explore the fact that our attitudes determine our happiness and that *no one* can ever take away the freedom for us to choose our response to any given situation. We'll also look at the importance of having a mission in life and that as we serve something bigger than ourselves, our happiness and success will follow.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Purpose & Stoicism

soul Spirit Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
The Tao Te Ching

by Lao Tzu

The Tao te Ching. It's the core text of Taoism and one of the top old school classics of all time. In this Note, we'll take a look at everything from making use of solitude to the fact that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step (heard that before, eh?!). We'll also learn to let go of our attachment to future results and gracefully roll with the ebbs and flows of life.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Mindfulness & Stoicism

Mind Old School Classic Spirituality Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
The Enchiridion

by Epictetus

Epictetus is one of three Stoic philosophers we profile (Marcus Aurelius and Seneca are the other two) and this former slave turned leading philosopher of his era is incredible. He echoes the wisdom of all the great teachers as he reminds us that, if we want to be happy, we've gotta realize the only thing we have control over is our response to a situation. We'll have fun tapping into a lot more of his vast mojo in the Note.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Confidence & Stoicism

Mind Old School Classic Philosophy Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Meditations

by Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor-Philosopher of the Roman Empire and one of the most enlightened leaders ever. Meditations is a collection of journal entries he wrote to himself and in this Note, we'll explore some Big Ideas of his Stoic philosophy—from the importance of never confusing ourselves with visions of a lifetime all at once, to not worrying about what others think of us and living a life of purpose and service.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Purpose & Stoicism

Mind Old School Classic Philosophy Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV
Letters from a Stoic

by Seneca

Seneca. He was born around the same time as Jesus and was one of the leading figures in his Roman Empire. He was also one of history's leading Stoic philosophers (along with Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus who we also profile) and has some powerful wisdom to share. In this Note, we'll explore the purpose of philosophy, the importance of focusing our attention and the mojo that comes from facing our fears.

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Packs:
Optimal Living & Stoicism

Mind Old School Classic Philosophy Top 101

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get instant access!

Join Brian’s Optimal Living program and get instant access to this PhilosophersNote + Master Classes + other goodness to optimize your life.

Learn More

Get Podcast

Watch PNTV

Show more PhilosophersNotes

Loading more PhilosophersNotes for you...