The Blog

Have you ever had one of those mornings where getting out of bed feels like an impossible task? You hit snooze button and the thought of facing the day ahead makes you want to pull the covers over your head. Now, imagine that you’re not just anyone; you’re Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and a champion of Stoic philosophy. If you think Marcus had it all together, think again. Even he struggled with the mundane battles most of us face daily, inertia, patience, and the push against our own comfortable desires.

So, did Marcus Aurelius like getting up early? We know he didn’t! He wrote about how hard it was to embrace that early morning grind in his journal, Meditations. You can almost picture him, cursing his bed, battling with that warm, fuzzy blanket, and arguing with himself about whether he should finally make that leap out into the cold world. If he, amid all his philosophical wisdom, felt that pull to stay cozy in bed, then maybe we should cut ourselves some slack when we hit the snooze button one too many times, right?

As for patience, oh boy. If you think he enjoyed being calm and collected when people irritated him, think again! Who wouldn’t want to unleash a few choice words when faced with annoying interruptions? Life can get under our skin, and even a Stoic emperor wasn’t immune to occasionally wanted to vent. But Marcus understood that patience was a virtue worth exercising. He recognised that these struggles were part of being human, and instead of allowing irritation to rule him, he fought against it.

And speak about standards! The man didn’t just set the bar high; he dragged it to the top of a portico. Physical, moral, intellectual discipline, his expectations were unyielding. But did it come naturally? Nope! He didn’t roll out of bed and immediately start ticking off every lofty principle on his list of virtues. This was the work of a lifetime that he had to commit to daily.

Imagine this: Marcus Aurelius, the embodiment of wisdom and self-control, grappling with the very human experience of wanting to give up, wanting to choose the easy path. We all have moments where we could easily slip into that mindset, and maybe your New Year didn’t start off quite as you had hoped. Perhaps you were under the weather, had travel plans scuppered by bad weather, or just got caught up in the daily drudge. It’s tempting to think about throwing in the towel when the universe seems determined to delay your progress.

But here’s the thing, while you might not have control over getting sick or how unpredictable the weather can be, you do have control over how you respond. That’s where discipline comes into play. Because discipline isn’t about doing what you want; it’s about getting the tough stuff done anyway. It’s about taking that first step when every ounce of you screams to sit back down and relax.

The kind of discipline we’re talking about isn’t always fun, and it rarely comes with ease or applause. In fact, it often means side stepping the lure of comfort and familiarity. The virtue lies in recognising the resistance, feeling the urge to give up, and choosing to keep climbing that mountain anyway. So, in those moments when life gets heavy and unexpected, think about it this way: every time you choose the hard path over the easy one, you forge a little more of your own character.

Embrace the struggle. Revel in it! Because each time you press forward, whether that means getting up with the sun when you’d rather sleep in or being patient with someone who’s challenging your calm, you’re building a muscle. It’s not going to be easy, but revealing the better self that philosophy aspires for you to be is worth every ounce of effort.

So how to reclaim that discipline when life tries to knock you off course. First thing’s first: set small, achievable goals. Want to get up earlier? Start with just ten minutes earlier than usual. You’d be surprised how much getting even a slight jump on the day can make a difference. It’s a small win, but every little bit helps.

Next, take notice of your triggers. What’s pulling you to the couch or keeping you from practicing that new habit? Identifying the distractions can help you plan for them instead of stumbling into non productive time. Treat those triggers like opponents in a game. You want to know their moves so you can outsmart them.

And when you feel like giving up, remember why you started. Think back to that moment of inspiration, the reason you wanted to make a change, chase a dream, or better yourself. That reminder can rekindle your motivation and push you through.

A powerful method for building discipline involves accountability. Share your goals with a friend, or document your journey. Writing it down or sharing it makes it harder to ignore. Plus, friends can be a fantastic source of encouragement. They can cheer you on when you feel weak and remind you of your commitments.

And don’t forget to celebrate the small victories! Finished that book you were stuck on? Great! Got out of bed on time? Fantastic! Created a new routine instead of falling back into the old habits? That’s amazing! Recognising and rewarding yourself for those incremental achievements can give you the positive reinforcement you need to keep going.

If the allure of comfort is strong, consider trying something outside your usual routine. Shake things up! Maybe that means switching up your morning routine, tackling a project you’ve been neglecting, or taking a leap into unknown territory by learning something new. It forces you to challenge your typical patterns and could reignite that spark of discipline you need.

Above all, keep Marcus Aurelius in mind. The struggles he faced and the standards he held himself to remind us that the path of virtue, while tough, is rewarding. He portrayed a powerful image of what discipline looks like, wrestling with his own humanity but ultimately striving for principle.

So, if the beginning of your New Year felt a bit bumpy, carve out time to reevaluate your plans, recommit to your goals, and, most importantly, remember that discomfort is part of growth. Lean in, embrace the struggle, and keep pushing through the resistance. You’re on the right path; just don’t lose sight of it. Every small step counts!