All Success Is A Lagging Indicator | Always The Same | The Daily Stoic

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, the concept that all success is a lagging indicator is explored. The host discusses the idea that success, awards, and recognition are the results of years of hard work, perseverance, and endurance. The podcast also reflects on the timeless nature of human experiences and the enduring truths found in ancient Stoic philosophy.

Main Takeaways

The Nature of Success

• Success, awards, and TV series are all lagging indicators of years of work and endurance.
• Philip Meyer, a successful author, had years of work and trying before achieving his success.

The Timelessness of Human Experiences

• The passage from The Daily Stoic reminds us that human beings have been doing the same things for centuries.
• History shows that people live, die, love, fight, cry, and laugh.
• People have believed for centuries that they’ve reached the apex of humanity or that things are really different now.
• Strong people resist this notion and know that things are the same as they’ve always been and always will be.

Ancient Wisdom and Modern Relevance

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a remarkable demonstration of this as the struggles he writes about are immensely familiar and accessible to all of us.
• Stoic philosophy reminds us that not much has changed in human history.

History Repeating Itself

• Pandemics like the Great Influenza and the Antenite plague have happened before.
• History repeats itself, and people have always been doing the same things.

The Tradition of Stoic Philosophy

• The leather edition of Seneca’s “Meditations” is a timeless tradition.
• We are a part of this tradition both intentionally and unintentionally, which is both beautiful and terrifying.

Summary

The Timeless Nature of Human Experiences

The podcast delves into the idea that human experiences and struggles have remained consistent throughout history. People have always faced challenges, sought success, and dealt with the same range of emotions. This realization helps us understand that success is not an overnight phenomenon but the result of years of hard work and endurance.

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life

The podcast highlights the relevance of ancient Stoic philosophy in our modern lives. Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” serves as a powerful reminder that the struggles and challenges we face today are not unique. The wisdom of the Stoics can guide us in navigating these difficulties and finding inner strength.

The Cycle of History

By examining historical pandemics and the repetition of human behavior, the podcast emphasizes the cyclical nature of history. People have always faced similar challenges, and history serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our experiences. Understanding this can provide comfort and perspective during challenging times.

Conclusion

The podcast episode “All Success Is A Lagging Indicator | Always The Same” reminds us that success is not an overnight achievement but the culmination of years of hard work and endurance. It also highlights the timeless nature of human experiences and the enduring wisdom found in ancient Stoic philosophy. By embracing these insights, we can navigate the challenges of life with resilience and perspective.