You Left Too Early
follow the course
Seneca writes today to Lucilius about reading and learning. He says the best way to become smarter is to read the works of men of undeniable genius (so if you’re reading this now… keep up the good work!). And then to “extend your stay” with their writings.
The famous Stoic writes that to constantly change what we’re reading is a sign of a scattered brain. To properly absorb the knowledge within each page, we can’t change authors each day - it won’t stick.
When I find a book full of wisdom, I’m quick to reread and/or find more from that author. For instance, the first book I read by Seneca was “On the Shortness of Life” and that led me to quickly buy and read Letters From a Stoic. But this idea reaches farther than just reading. When we’re trying to solve any problem, we can’t keep flipping between our plans of action.
“… nothing hinders a cure so much as frequent changes of treatment; a wound will not heal over if it is being made the subject of experiments with different ointments” (letter II)
I can’t take your medications for a few days, try “natural” remedies for a few days and then see a whole new doctor with new medications. If I was sick to begin with, I would not be getting better.
I see the same thing with workout plans. I’ve done it myself. I can say with certainty the times in my life where I’ve made the best progress in the gym is when I stuck to a single well-developed plan for months before changing course.
I have most trouble seeing this issue when I’m trying to fix something I don’t know well. I find myself doubting the path I’m on too quickly because I don’t know how long it’s supposed to take. But as I’m learning, when I don’t know the solution I need to remember Seneca’s lessons - the solution is never changing course every day.
Even a decent plan followed consistently is better than ten excellent plans followed disorderly.
Question of The Day
Where in my life am I not making progress? How long have I been following the same plan?
Go be a champion today. Beat the person you were yesterday.
Your Friend,
Noah “Big Nerd” Sochaczevski