“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” — Bruce Lee

Productivity leads you to get more work done. Being consistent and more productive will lead you to success. Staying productive in this generation could be challenging because many distractions are in the way. At any given time, seemingly ten different things are fighting for your attention. If you’re productive, you can do more with less time. That means you can take on harder, more important tasks. It also means you have more time to do the things you enjoy, like hobbies or spending time with friends. Today we will look at how some stoic principles can help us be more productive.

1) TAKE CARE OF YOUR TIME

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” — Leo Tolstoy, (War and Peace.)

“People are frugal in guarding their personal property, but as soon as it comes to squandering time, they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stingy.”

“Time is money” -Benjamin Franklin told us that earlier. We could not buy it again. If we use it in the right manner, it will lead us to success.

Planning your time can make us more productive every day and help us achieve our goals in life. So take control of your time; do not let it control you! The value of time is something that everyone understands. Time is a precious commodity that we all have an equal amount of and should not be wasted.

How can you apply the stoic rule for time management :

• Block out your day in the schedule.

• Stop feeling obligated to say ‘yes’ to everyone.

2) PRACTICE MINIMALISM

“Make things as simple as possible but no simpler.” -Albert Einstein

Minimalism?allows us to focus on our priorities. “Maintaining a clutter-free environment can increase focus and productivity, thus reducing stress.”

“Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are.”

Being a minimalist means you value yourself more than material things. It means making decisions based on your needs instead of getting everything you want. It does not mean the things you buy are cheap. It means you need them, regardless of how much they cost.

Benefits of Being Minimalistic :

• Decluttering helps people breathe.

• Minimalism allows for refocusing.

• Less stuff equals more money.

• You have more time.

• You have more energy.

How can you apply the stoic rule for being minimalistic :

• Begin with One Aspect of Your Life.

• Determine Necessities.

• Get Rid of Excess Clutter.

• Reduce Technology Usage.

• Prioritise Relationships.

• Make a Budget.

3) WALK MORE FREQUENTLY

Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn’t formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them. — Lee Haney

“We should take wandering outdoor walks so that the mind might be nourished and refreshed by the open air and deep breathing.”

How can you apply the stoic rule for walking frequently :

• Schedule walks to refresh your mind.

• Get out in the sun as early as you can each day.

4) PRACTICE SOLITUDE

“Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better.” -Henry Rollins

Solitude is an essential component of your health and well-being. Being alone is what bears great ideas.

“People look for retreats, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills.

A person can nowhere find a more peaceful retreat than in his mind.”

Being alone and feeling lonely are two completely different things, however. Many people feel lonely even when they’re in a crowded room. And some people spend lots of time alone without ever actually feeling lonely.

In fact, building more Solitude in your daily life might reduce your feelings of loneliness. Solitary skills take practice if you’re not used to being alone, but over time, you can grow more comfortable with being by yourself.

How can you apply the stoic rule for Solitude:

• Daily mindfulness practice.

• Schedule time away from social media.

• Eliminate distractions while working.

5) READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

“A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counsellor, a multitude of counsellors.” — Charles Baudelaire

Reading books improves your focus, memory, empathy, and communication skills. It can reduce stress, improve mental health, and help you live longer. Reading also allows you to learn new things to help you succeed in your work and relationships.

I hold that reading is indispensable to keep me from being satisfied with myself alone…

Reading nourishes and refreshes the mind when it is wearied with the study.”

How can you apply the stoic rule to create reading habits:

• Start reading every morning and night by setting a time.

• Listen to audiobooks.

• Invest in a kindle or great books.

Conclusion

Cultivating Stoic habits can greatly benefit our lives in a multitude of ways. By practicing the principles of Stoicism, such as focusing on what is within our control, accepting what we cannot change, and cultivating a sense of gratitude, we can develop a greater sense of inner peace and resilience in the face of adversity. Stoicism can help us better understand ourselves, our values, and our place in the world.

Originally published on medium.

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