What Is Luck and What Is Not
The Daily Stoic3 Okt 2019

What Is Luck and What Is Not

The philosopher and writer Nassim Taleb once said that, “Hard work will get you a professorship or a BMW. You need both work and luck for a Booker, a Nobel, or a private jet.” His point was that certain accomplishments are within the reasonable grasp of someone making incremental gains each day. Outsized success and outlier accomplishments require that and extreme luck or timing.

This is worth considering for all of us who grew up being told the world was a meritocracy. Of course, it isn’t. Plenty of brilliant people fail to succeed for all sorts of reasons, and plenty of not-so-brilliant people find themselves successful beyond their wildest dreams. The world is a random, even cruel, place that does not always reward merit or hard work or skill. Sometimes it does, but not always.

Still, perhaps a more usable and practical distinction to make is not between hard work and luck, but between what is up to us and what is not up to us. This is the distinction that the Stoics tried to make and to think about always. Pioneering new research in science—that’s up to us. Being recognized for that work (e.g. winning a Nobel) is not. A committee decides that. The media decides that. Becoming an expert in a field, that’s up to us. We do that by reading, by studying, by going out and experiencing things. Being hired as a professor at Harvard to teach that expertise is not (think of all the people who weren’t hired there over the years because they were female, or Jewish, or Black). Writing a prize-worthy piece of literature—up to us. That’s time in front of the keyboard. That’s up to our genius. Being named as a finalist for the Booker Prize is not.

It’s not that luck, exactly, decides these things, but it is very clearly other people that make the decision. Marcus Aurelius said that the key to life was to tie our sanity—our sense of satisfaction—to our own actions. To tie it to what other people say or do (that was his definition of ambition) was to set ourselves up to be hurt and disappointed. It’s insanity. And it misses the point.

Do the work. Be happy with that. Everything else is irrelevant.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episoder(2835)

So What’s Your Plan? | Judge Yourself, Not Others

So What’s Your Plan? | Judge Yourself, Not Others

Whether you’re excited about the direction of the country or not, you still have to focus on what’s in your control (which is you).📓 Pick up a signed edition of The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on The Art of Living: https://store.dailystoic.com/🎟 Ryan Holiday is going on tour! Grab tickets for London, Rotterdam, Dublin, Vancouver, and Toronto at ryanholiday.net/tour✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Nov 202410min

Seneca On The Reasons For Withdrawing From The World

Seneca On The Reasons For Withdrawing From The World

Seneca lived in a chaotic, dangerous, and unpredictable time. Listen in to this letter he wrote about how to stay sane in a crazy world and his advice for avoiding jealousy, hatred, and divisiveness. Today’s episode is an excerpt from The Tao Of Seneca produced by Tim Ferriss’ Audio. Get the free PDF at tim.blog/seneca🎙️ Listen to other letters from Seneca: Seneca on Despising DeathSeneca on Conquering the ConquerorSeneca on Philosophy and Friendship Seneca on Practicing What You Preach📚 Grab a copy of How to Keep Your Cool: An Ancient Guide to Anger Management by Seneca | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Nov 202415min

Mt. Joy’s Matt Quinn on Consistent Growth Vs. Overnight Success (And Which Is Sweeter)

Mt. Joy’s Matt Quinn on Consistent Growth Vs. Overnight Success (And Which Is Sweeter)

In the age of virality and trending TikTok songs, Mt. Joy rose to fame through the band’s authentic storytelling and community building within the indie music scene. On today’s episode, Mt. Joy’s lead singer Matt Quinn makes his return to the Daily Stoic studio to discuss the band’s surge in popularity since his first appearance a couple years back. Ryan and Matt also talk about how Matt manages performance anxiety before going on stage, the evolving perception of success in the music industry, and the band’s recent world tour that included performances at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden. 🎙️ Listen to Matt's first interview on The Daily Stoic | Apple Podcasts & SpotifyYou can follow Matt at @MattQuinnMJ on Instagram and on TikTok @MtJoyBand If you want to see Matt and the band in concert, head to mtjoyband.com and you can check out their upcoming tour schedule ✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Nov 20241h 9min

Don’t Follow His Example (For Once) | Actors In A Play

Don’t Follow His Example (For Once) | Actors In A Play

Don’t follow Cato’s example. Keep fighting for virtue and the common good.🎥 Watch Patrick Dempsey’s interview on YouTube 🎥 Watch Matthew McConaughey's interview on YouTube📓 Grab your own leather bound signed edition of The Daily Stoic! Check it out at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/🎟 Ryan Holiday is going on tour! Grab tickets for London, Rotterdam, Dublin, Vancouver, and Toronto at ryanholiday.net/tour✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 Nov 20248min

Could You Survive This? | Ask DS

Could You Survive This? | Ask DS

To survive success and fame and power, to be virtuous in such a situation, one must make it the work of their life.Ask DS: How does Ryan approach instilling Stoicism in his kids? What is Ryan currently thinking about when it comes to investments and business?+ More! 🎟 Ryan Holiday is going on tour! Grab tickets for London, Rotterdam, Dublin, Vancouver, and Toronto at ryanholiday.net/tour📕 Pick up your own Premium Leather Edition of Meditations - Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hays Translation) at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/💡The Wealthy Stoic: A Daily Stoic Guide to Being Rich, Happy, and Free explores how stoic ideas can be applied to personal finance, wealth-building, financial mindset, and how it can help you overcome common financial obstacles and challengesGet The Wealthy Stoic: A Daily Stoic Guide to Being Rich, Happy, and Free & all other Daily Stoic courses for FREE when you join Daily Stoic Life | dailystoic.com/life✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Nov 202413min

Your Duty Remains The Same

Your Duty Remains The Same

As a Stoic, nothing in an election changes what is asked or obligated of you. You are still expected to be a person of virtue. 📕 Pick up a copy of Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday | https://store.dailystoic.com/🎟 Ryan Holiday is going on tour! Grab tickets for London, Rotterdam, Dublin, Vancouver, and Toronto at ryanholiday.net/tour✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Nov 20244min

Dan Jones on Why History Is Our Greatest Teacher And Henry V’s Legacy

Dan Jones on Why History Is Our Greatest Teacher And Henry V’s Legacy

We’ve all heard of Marcus Aurelius, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, but what about Henry V? British historian Dan Jones joins Ryan today to talk about why Henry V was one of the most unique Kings throughout history, how we can understand the current state of the world by looking at historical patterns, and unbelievable stories of discovering historical evidence. Dan Jones is a British historian, TV presenter, journalist, and author of Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King. Dan has also written the bestselling books Powers and Thrones, The Templars, Essex Dogs, and more. Check out Dan's Netflix Series which he wrote and starred in - Secrets of Great British Castles! You can follow Dan on Instagram @d_a_n_jones, check out his newsletter danjones.substack.com, and listen to his podcast This is History: A Dynasty to Die For. 🎟 Ryan Holiday is going on tour! Grab tickets for London, Rotterdam, Dublin, Vancouver, and Toronto at ryanholiday.net/tour✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Nov 20241h 9min

Don’t Let Bad Times Make You A Bad Person | Underrated Stoic Advice For A Better Life (From Seneca)

Don’t Let Bad Times Make You A Bad Person | Underrated Stoic Advice For A Better Life (From Seneca)

As individuals what is up to us is whether these bad times make us a bad person, whether hard events harden our hearts, whether the wrongs of the world make us do wrong.📕 Grab a signed copy of Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday | https://store.dailystoic.com/📚 Pick up a signed, numbered first-edition of the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday at dailystoic.com/obstacle✉️ Want Stoic wisdom delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the FREE Daily Stoic email at https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Get Stoic inspired books, medallions, and prints to remember these lessons at the Daily Stoic Store: https://store.dailystoic.com/📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Nov 20248min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
dine-penger-pengeradet
e24-podden
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
utbytte
pengepodden-2
finansredaksjonen
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
okonomiamatorene
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
lederpodden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
pengesnakk
rss-investering-gjort-enkelt
rss-fa-makro
rss-markedspuls-2
rss-impressions-2