First, tell yourself who you want to be. Then, act accordingly.

Reflection

This maxim is a call to introspection and self-reflection. It invites us to contemplate our ideals and values, and then to act in accordance with these findings.

From a Stoic perspective, this maxim is deeply rooted in the importance of living in accordance with our rational and virtuous nature. Stoics consider virtue as the supreme good and the only source of true happiness. Therefore, first, we must tell ourselves which virtues we wish to embody, whether it be wisdom, justice, temperance, or courage. And then, every action, every decision we make, should be an expression of these virtues.

Also, this maxim reflects the Stoic distinction between things that are within our control and those that are not. Stoics believe that only our opinions, impulses, desires, and aversions are truly under our control. Therefore, what we decide to be and how we decide to act are fundamental choices that are completely within our control.

So, from a contemporary Stoic perspective, this maxim challenges us to take responsibility for our lives. It encourages us not to be merely passive, subject to the changing currents and winds of life, but to be active, to shape and define who we are and how we live through our decisions and actions.

Furthermore, this maxim can also be seen as a reminder of the impermanence of life. In every present moment, we have the opportunity to decide who we want to be and how we want to live. Each moment is a new chance to live according to our chosen virtues and principles. In this way, life becomes a series of conscious and deliberate moments, rather than merely an unconscious stream of events.

Finally, at its deepest core, this maxim is a call to live authentically. By first telling ourselves who we want to be and then acting in accordance with this, we are choosing to live in accordance with our true self, not according to societal expectations or norms. We are choosing to be true to ourselves and to our ideals and values. And ultimately, this is what it means to live a good and full life from a Stoic perspective.

Question

Who do I want to be, and how does this reflect in the actions I perform daily?

Exercise

Practical exercise to carry out for a week:

This exercise aims to help you live more in alignment with your ideals and values, in line with the Stoic approach to life.

1. Identification of virtues and values: First, take some time to think about the virtues and values that resonate most with you. These might be honesty, compassion, bravery, perseverance, temperance, etc. Write down three to five of these in a journal.
2. Application of virtues and values: Once you have identified your main virtues and values, the next step is to think about how you can apply them in your daily life. Write down a specific action you can perform each day that reflects each of these virtues and values. For example, if you choose compassion, an action could be dedicating five minutes a day to actively listen to someone without interruptions or judgments.
3. Daily reflection: At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect on your actions and behaviors from that day. Did you act in accordance with your chosen virtues and values? What went well? Where did you find challenges? Write these reflections in your journal.
4. Adjustments and improvements: Based on your daily reflections, think about what you might do differently or better to live in accordance with your chosen virtues and values. You may need to adjust your daily actions, or you may find you need more discipline or focus.

The idea behind this exercise is to help you live more intentionally and in line with your ideals and values, which is a central aspect of Stoicism. It is a continuous process of self-reflection, adjustment, and improvement.