5 Philosophies to Hang onto During an Existential Crisis
Sometimes we need a little extra kick in the pants to keep going. It's a good thing, then, that someone has done a lot of our heavy thinking for us.
That's right, I mean philosophers. Sure, sometimes they spend a bit too much time debating things with little practical application, like whether or not you and I are really here and sitting in a chair and reading this article, but when it comes to designing something like a curved mirror for harnessing sunlight onto the ships of your enemies, greek fire, or even something less violent like.. well, like a life philosophy, they can turn out to be quite useful.
So why not let those philosophers do their job and in turn help yourself to do yours? Here are a few quotes from famous philosophers who have been where you are before. We hope that they will give you that extra push that you are needing to get through these difficult times and to succeed!
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” – Aristotle
It seems like a no-brainer, but training yourself in a few good habits can go a long way for determining your future success. Get in the habit of waking up early. Tasks fly by when you are a little sleepy and a cup of coffee can work wonders. Just this one little habit can take you far.
“Life must be understood backward. But it must be lived forward ” – Søren Kierkegaard
Sometimes it is hard not to dwell overmuch on the past. Keep the future in focus. Don't look away from your goals. Remember, the reasons can be lost if you don't keep everything in perspective and everything will make sense if you keep pushing forward. Don't let the past drag you down. Let it's rooted enrich you and hold you firmly in resolve as you look ahead to the future.
“Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they are not altered for the better designedly” – Francis Bacon
You can't control everything. That said, you can control some things.A little planning goes a long way. Fine tune your plans and you will be surprised how much your 'luck' improves. Try to make time each week to improve your life just a little. Take that trip to the grocery store early so you have that time for yourself later in the week. Plan a picnic with a loved one and get out of the house a little. These little things add up and can enrich your life. Don't just live to work, there are better things you can do. Start doing them.
“I can control my passions and emotions if I can understand their nature” – Spinoza
Self Realization is key. Knowing why you do certain things can aid you in learning to better control them. You can't always block bad behaviour but knowing what makes you tick can help you avoid situations that might get you in trouble in the future. Remember, if you can't help how you might react in a situation then learn to avoid those situations. Learn to keep the toxic people, places, and things out of your path and your life can be a lot more peaceful.
“The brave man is he who overcomes not only his enemies but his pleasures” – Democritus
This one is tricky but true. How many fun things seem to take up too much of your time? Are you often sleeping in an extra half an hour? Do you like having an extra cup of wine or find yourself often staying up until 1am binge-watching a favorite show? Be careful. Those little things add up and can cut into your creativity time. Live a little but don't forget to live.
Use these tips and start retraining yourself with these philosophies to keep strong and effective in everything you do. Listen to these philosophers, they've heard it all before.
Get out there and start succeeding!
