Remember the days when challenges fuelled your fire, when obstacles were stepping stones to success? Now, does every hurdle feel like a mountain, every setback a personal indictment? You’re not alone. As high achievers in our 30s-60s, we face unique challenges. Ageing throws unexpected curveballs, and sometimes, it feels like the goalposts keep moving.
But before you resign yourself to the sidelines, consider this: what if it’s not your age, but your approach to failure, holding you back?
Enter the ancient Stoics, masters of navigating life’s curveballs with equanimity and resilience. In his insightful talk for Sam Harris’s “Waking Up” project, William Irvine shares their potent wisdom on overcoming setbacks: reframe how you view failure.
Instead of clinging to the illusion of complete control, the Stoics remind us: much lies beyond our grasp. External factors like age, injuries, or even the economy can derail our meticulously crafted plans. But focusing on these uncontrollable elements only breeds frustration.
The Stoic solution? Shift your focus inward. Like a skilled sculptor chipping away at marble, focus on what you can control: your choices, your effort, your attitude.
This subtle shift unlocks incredible power:
- Reduced frustration: Accept what you can’t control, focus on what you can, and watch your stress melt away.
- Greater resilience: Setbacks become learning opportunities, fueling your determination to improve.
- Sustainable progress: Celebrate the journey, not just the destination, and avoid burnout.
Irvine uses a powerful analogy: imagine scaling a mountain. Reaching the summit is your goal, but the true test lies in enjoying the climb, learning from each obstacle, and adapting your approach as needed.
Applying this Stoic wisdom to our modern lives:
- Focus on effort, not outcomes: Celebrate improvements in strength, flexibility, and energy, regardless of external benchmarks.
- Embrace intrinsic goals: Connect your fitness journey to deeper values like well-being, self-care, and longevity.
- See setbacks as learning opportunities: Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and bounce back stronger.
Remember, you’re not defined by your setbacks, but by your response.
As a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, strength & conditioning specialist, and online health coach, I help high achievers like you embrace the Stoic approach to failure:
- Identify your intrinsic goals: What does “wellbeing” look like for you? Let’s craft a plan that aligns with your values.
- Develop resilience: We’ll build a personalized program that adapts to your body’s needs, celebrating each step forward.
- Find joy in the journey: From mastering a new exercise to conquering a long walk, we’ll cultivate a positive mindset for sustainable progress.
Ready to reframe your approach to failure and unlock your true potential? Let’s chat!
Remember, the Stoics weren’t about achieving perfection, but about mastering the art of the comeback.