How Stoics Build And Maintain Self-Discipline

The Stoics were masters of self-discipline.
There is nothing less Stoic than disorganization, than chaos, than “winging it.” That’s why we develop a routine, why we set standards (and meet them), why we’re on top of our lives, why we take things seriously.
Epictetus would remind his students that few things in life are improved by inattention. Marcus Aurelius would remind himself in Meditations not just to “concentrate like a Roman,” but to do each task in front of him with seriousness and diligence…as if it was the last thing he was doing in his life.
In this video Ryan Holiday talks about the ways you can cultivate and maintain self discipline in your life.
📕 Ryan Holiday's new book "Discipline Is Destiny" is available for pre-order now! We’ve put together a bunch of cool preorder bonuses-among them is a signed and numbered page from the original manuscript of the book. You can learn more about those and how to receive them over at dailystoic.com/preorder
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[@SavageJonesIII6548]

The writer of Hebrews says: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

[@craigrathsam4696]

I used to read that bible verse before some morning workouts in the Marine Corps. One of my favorites!

[@Andy-B1984]

Like the pain and suffering that comes with exercise and endurance. I know not everyone likes it, but i do, it gives me a buzz lol. But same applies. The pain and discomfort that comes with exercising makes us stronger and fitter and more robust in mind and body. Even impact on our Skelton from walking and running strengthens it. Our body is constantly changing and sculpting itself depending on what we put it through. I know all pain and suffering isnt by choice or enjoyable like it is with exercising, but it applies to all hardship and adversity, whether its voluntary or not 💪😎 As long as it doesn't cripple or kill us, it makes us stronger. Everything in the right balance, if its out of our control, that is when it can cripple and kill us. Too much will destroy our mind and body.

[@peterkennedy4011]

thanks for quoting scripture from the web lady internet quoter! your awesome!

[@enzormma]

@@craigrathsam4696 Thank you for your service 🙏

[@Sophienfreya]

Nice 👌🏽

[@chickenortheeggphotography]

I suffered from the idea that I needed to help everyone around when I first started my self discipine discovery. Man did I piss a lot of people off. I tried changing a lot of people to be like me. I became just as unhappy in the end. It took a long time to recover from that idea that I wasn't helping anyone by spreading what I was doing. I was just irritating people who never asked for it. Now I've learned and embraced what "self" discipline truly means, and if someone disagrees with what I do, oh well, they're not me, and I'm not them.

[@autumblak]

"it is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor." This line hits home.

[@ilyakhoteev]

Seeing Ryan grow over the years is one of the coolest things

[@moalston4203]

Heck yea life is about changing and growing

[@ornlu_the_wolf]

He did somehow get taller

[@martinsabucha1973]

Thank you, will check him out love the videos btw, you mean he mentioned something about ADHD discipline ?

[@JamieStenhouse]

Ive been thinking about this a lot! I agree!

[@Alex_and_Stacey]

Ryan Holiday had turned my life around when I discovered his stuff about a year ago.

[@anonymous6045]

Same here, some truly eye opening content.

[@Dubbadizzo86]

Right? First it was Jordan Peterson who really helped me through a lot of my personal struggles with depression, childhood trauma, and learning to take responsibility by taking care of little dragons before they become big dragons. Now with Ryan, I've began reading the stoics and his books and I'm not just increasing my discipline by doing hard things, but I have an actual set of concepts and rules to live my life by with stoicism. Life just keeps on improving a little bit each day. I'm happier and wiser than I've ever been and it's truly been amazing.

[@negativegains]

@@Dubbadizzo86 Yeah, it's great to have teachers like Ryan and Dr Peterson. Thanks to these two blessings.

[@attisbarros5546]

Lao tzu, Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Peterson, Ryan Holiday.

[@kistar3460]

Mine too, about a year from now. "Focus on what's in your control, not outside events." That made the biggest impact on me.

[@jamieleinbach8076]

Holy. Shit. Just had a major epiphany from this. Some of my friends give me a hard time about working so hard toward my dreams and goals while I, on the other hand, feel like I’m no Michael Jordan or Tom Cruise since I will absolutely take a nap if I need it or take a day off to spend fun times with my teenager. Maybe I’m actually better at this living and self-discipline thing than I thought!! I feel a more confident in my balance now. Woah. 🤯 Thank you Ryan!

[@StoicEvolution1]

Seneca: "While we wait for life, life passes."

[@dbadaddy7386]

William Bligh had exceptionally high standards for seamanship, and he was exceptionally gifted in that area. He had very little tolerance for anyone not just as good as he was, and in the end that was his undoing. That he was able to navigate a small boat over 3000 miles to help shows just how good he was. He failed as a leader because he was quick to condemn others and unwilling to help them learn.

[@zenclover8468]

106k views and only 5.6 k likes ? You gotta appreciate what Ryan's giving you here and click that like button

[@ericklimjuco5112]

Almost everyday when I go to work, I watch your videos. It is really important to start the day right, motivated and inspired. Thanks Ryan!🤘

[@FolkBoyify]

I’d like to see an interview between Ryan Holiday and Jordan Peterson! Two powerful men who have changed my life for the better, I appreciate you, Ryan. The Obstacle Is The Way is my favorite book! Oh, and thank you for Lives Of The Stoics. You have transformed me, Ryan. Without Stoicism, I would still be lost.

[@Avx829]

Finally started doing the Daily Stoic Journal the other day. It took 2 months to start reading and writing in the book but I got started 2 days ago and haven't looked back. If you haven't already start writing in a journal I would recommend his book. Pretty easy to focus your thought on paper when you have relevant writing prompts. To add: Don't leave it sitting next to you for 2 months. It was in arms reach 40-50 hours a week while I work and couldn't bring myself to open it up and start. Just do it!

[@mrmalone28]

Awesome.

[@hrtizz]

I thought you were supposed to start in January? Did you just started from the middle of the book?

[@jackg7496]

Good advice! Thank you!

[@ShinShinoke]

@@hrtizz The best time to start is now, certainly not waiting for the start of the next year. And even writing on the back on an envelope if it gets you started

[@langwell21]

What kind of things are in there like what do you write?

[@ajgibson8422]

just found this channel and man so glad i did had no idea about the stoics and the rulers of rome and its really opening my eyes cause i have alot of the same thoughts they had its awesome being able to relate to someone as great as them

[@yafetayalew8738]

You are an Amazing human being Ryan holiday.

[@geesonnit]

Hey Ryan, just want to say it’s a pleasure finding your channel! Your videos are really helpful 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@RealziesCuts]

I’m so glad I found out about your incredible books this year I’ve already read three of them and I’m a huge fan of your work I know it is really helping me turn things around as I’ve struggled financially for the last three years I’m so close to being able to support you more wishing I could pre-order that book. YES discipline is destiny thank you for all your hard work and keep it up 💫🏆🥇✊

[@blinnbh]

I needed this reminder today. Thank you!

[@jizim8947]

You really speak to me and where I'm at in my life. Stoicism is new for me but the more I learn the more I wanna learn about it. Thank you 👍

[@kingaseltine]

Phenomenal video with so many nuggets sprinkled throughout! Plus, it sounded stupendous!! Bravo!! 🥰

[@ssssjuliano]

moderation is exactly what im trying to improve today, perfect timing. thank you 👍

[@ellists3163]

thank you ryan, genuinely. i’ve always wished more people knew about stoicism and you’re spreading the word. history will thank you

[@slimdaniels3322]

WOW! This one was really great Ryan! Thank you☮️❤️

[@justiceempathy2315]

I am Greek and I cannot get enough of your videos. You are great .

[@RestfulMotivation]

I get my daily motivation from Ryan. I feel that this platform that youtube gprovided has brought people together to grow their mindset. Thanks Ryan and may you and your family continue to become a blessing for so many people around the globe.

[@Chorrosion]

I'm very excited to rip through this book.

[@zene7041]

Hi sir i am honored to find your channel I need your wisdom and guidance because I'll start with my study soon so I appreciate your effort. 🙏

[@jairunet]

Excellent! work this guy is doing. His energy and research speak for him. Exemplar!

[@barrie888]

Excellent point about the are your standards to yourself not to enforce them on others, I sometimes forget that

[@machyavelli4890]

Man, really like Ryan when he’s not politicizing but rather, philosophizing. Great vid.

[@FACTSinatingsatisFACTion]

So excited for my copy arriving Tuesday!

[@Nazerene777]

I take a lot of wisdom from videos like this.

[@tigsik3128]

I love Ryan's books not onlynthey are beneficial they are also easy to read and understand.

[@solariatrecords]

Excited to read this! Needed this 🎯

[@WookieLove1]

RYAN SHARING POWERFUL TRUTH

[@darrellshoub7527]

Ryan is awesome............ and a light to many people's darkness .

[@orhansaimdemirturk]

Absolutely

[@leighwhite_soultopia]

Love this teaching 🎉

[@CalicoCooperFan]

I Pre-ordered the book via Amazon. I'm looking forward to diving into it when it arrives.

[@padiz007]

I should be finished 'Stillness is the Key' by the time, Discipline is Destiny arrives hopefully this week. Thank you Ryan your books are amazing.

[@Adamtfrank]

I’m here because I am reading the daily stoic and it is changing me for the better it has allowed me to look in the mirror even harder. I am very angry and it has helped me to quell it. I was gifted this book and am so grateful

[@MasteryOrder]

If you are still in search of answers, feel free to entertain some other ideas as well. Maybe you will find what you need. If you enjoy challenging ideas and if mastery and masculinity are subjects that interest you, I invite you to explore the videos I share on the Mastery Order Channel. Challenge yourself with some ideas about manhood, explore your masculine potential to the maximum and become the kind of man you would admire. We can only better ourselves together, as men among men, so I invite you to use what I share and, of course, share your own opinions so that others can benefit from them as well. Looking forward to your points of view. All the best to you!

[@zhackzoey149]

It's help me alot in this era busy world especially the advice.

[@chris10hi]

Your content is great, thank you

[@kennethatkins9250]

We really need to think and think again .be inspired and to rest and be inspired again.

[@Ali-gv1yw]

Thank you a lot❤

[@CallToGrid]

Love what you're doing Ryan! I've underlined some sentences of Courage is Calling and they can be mantras. Definite ah-ha moments. So simple yet so clear.

[@susanbrennan3284]

Love your videos great advice

[@rolfjacobson833]

thanks, i just preordered the new book

[@Anzhela.Piano-Life]

Recently discovered your channel 🎉! Great videos, very thoughtful and informative!! Thank you .

[@gracielazaffarana9777]

Excellent!

[@abelnunez-guerrero3832]

Get it Ryan! Awesome video 💯🙌🏽🌞 #stoics #lifechanging

[@jameslarson4092]

I'm really looking forward to your next book

[@mariabelen4583]

Thanks for sharing great ideas! greetings from Argentina!

[@FocusMrbjarke]

Thank you Ryan for all the work you do

[@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776]

great meditation to start the day=]

[@angelofthenorf]

Will this be released as an audiobook? Really looking forward to it!

[@JAMNOW]

Love this ❤

[@PhallicDivinity]

Congrats on the JRE interview!

[@camaslindbeck1985]

Own the first, will be getting this one too!

[@Palmman69]

be the happiest man you can ever be when u improve yourself you wont tell it to others cuz you love yourself

[@sleepconcentrationmeditation]

Discipline is love.

[@-RYAN-]

Makes my day

[@MasteryOrder]

Entertain yourself with other ideas as well. If you enjoy challenging ideas and if mastery and masculinity are subjects that interest you, I invite you to explore the videos I share on the Mastery Order Channel. Challenge yourself with some ideas about manhood, explore your masculine potential to the maximum and become the kind of man you would admire. We can only better ourselves together, as men among men, so I invite you to use what I share and, of course, share your own opinions so that others can benefit from them as well. Looking forward to your points of view. All the best to you!

[@SoloMotivation]

*This Will Open Your Mind* Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. *I LOVE YOU* 💝💕

[@UtahGmaw99]

Also it means that if you break your foot the day before a marathon you don't beat yourself up or try to run with a broken foot. You take care of yourself and get on with your life.

[@Phr8]

Are you able to expand on how the stoics congratulated their own successes? I have spent much of my life putting the responsibility of congratulations on other others. I would speak expect to be congratulated. I'm working to change this, and I'd love some guidance. I know it should come from within me, but I find myself rigorously critical of my own work, and all that comes is knowledge of how to improve, not what to take pride in. Love your content :)

[@moalston4203]

Discipline is between choosing what you want now and what you want MOST

[@DawsonSWilliams]

Spinoza ground lenses for his daily bread, lived in relative isolation, and owned almost nothing. He is arguably one of the finest “neo-stoic” philosophers; his masterpiece-Ethics-is supplemented with many stoic virtues.

[@negativegains]

This was the ultimate advertisement for a book. Ryan, shut up and take my money!!

[@user-dh8sg8ur5e]

"Happy is he who makes others better" -- Seneca “Happy is the man who can make others better, not merely when he is in their company, but even when he is in their thoughts!” - Seneca "Your soul is dyed the color of your thoughts" - Marcus Aurelius

[@tomalleeson4573]

I liked this one.

[@ashley4372]

I liked this one, two 😉

[@SneakySteevy]

I really like stoism and in my opinion Baruch Spinoza should be on top of stoism even if he was not a stoic philosopher. For me Spinoza is the base for life in a society and than once the basics are mastered stoism is really good to maintain the « flow ».

[@herrweiss2580]

Interesting fellow! He did read Stoic literature, following the idea of being virtuous and possessing emotional control.

[@spitfirestar616]

Some people can’t get off the couch because they’re in an episode of depression and others struggle with addictions to alcohol, drugs, or food. I’ve followed Ryan Holiday for awhile now and really enjoyed reading two of his books but I think it’s callous to portray everyone who may be exhibiting these behaviors as lacking self-discipline.

[@christophdenner8878]

I have been driven by motivation and discipline ever since I was a child. I come from a dysfunctional poor alcoholic family, and I wanted to do everything possible to escape poverty. I had the best marks in school, almost all the time, then studied, made a PhD, became a scientist, and always had demanding jobs in pharma science since then. During all that time, I did vigorous sports, several hours a day in my 20ies; weightlifting, swimming, running. I never let myself go. I have always had chronic depression, since my childhood, as well as anxiety, against which I fight daily. I destroyed all my relationships due to being overworked and so stressed out. I'm in my mid 40ies now and incredibly tired and lonely. I hate my pharma job, it destroys my life. I'm addicted to sleeping medication and there's not a single morning that I wanna get up and start my day. Actually, I can't believe how tired I have become, I was full of energy as a young man and regret so much that I was never brave enough to become a writer or professional swimmer (my 2 childhood dreams). And now - I can't wait to retire early. This is to show what being overmotivated can do. Self-discipline can destroy you, especially if you're rather a laid-back, contemplative person (which I truly am). I was just born with the wrong cards in hands, and couldn't accept my fate.

[@TheAlexa6]

Maybe you weren’t born holding the wrong cards. Maybe your earlier experience led you down a path that helped you to grow and experience things that served you until they didn’t, and now it’s time to discover yourself on a deeper soul level. From a place of knowing yourself, what you do and don’t want and not from fear of escaping the past. I’m 44 and making major changes at this time in a similar vein. Life is what we make it, let’s do this.

[@christophdenner8878]

@@TheAlexa6 Thank you for your words! I'm the same age, and I feel next year should be a year of change.

[@ReggieLouise]

In the simplest of terms, I think you’ve over corrected. Sounds like you’ve done some great things in your life, trying to escape your humble beginnings, but maybe didn’t know when to stop. Hope you find the time to achieve those things you really want to do, or something else that will satisfy you. I feel that you will ☺️

[@ercolearmani6186]

Probably would have been impossible with a learning disability

[@davidlalinde6333]

Gareth Bale giving me life advice

[@moalston4203]

Readers see more I am coping these books

[@moalston4203]

Hunger is the 1st element of self discipline if you can control what you eat you can control everything else

[@Jackson-up8yf]

Do you get the bonuses if you preorder on audible?

[@JAB-bc9uv]

Thank you for the email.

[@martinsabucha1973]

I would like to ask how you would approach people that are a little bit neurodivergent or has ADHD or other things that slows them down, and perhaps burns them out to maintain even normal interactions, where should you start with your discipline, or how would you organize yourself, i.e. to put all the inboxes into one, or to-do list must be the same over all devices, is there anyone who is approaching this topic ? Would love to know more since there are people that are depleted of willpower and without simply adjusting environment to get stuff done, they never won't. Let me know what you think :) also love the content, philosophically is digestible and perfect, just some practical video with implementation would be actually so helpful. Thank you for doing this and keep up the good work!

[@24galia]

See Gabor Maté. Interviews and book “Scattered minds”.

[@martinsabucha1973]

@@24galia Is it directly approaching ADHD brains?

[@mateoben7120]

By the way, mr.Holiday: I am really eager to get _Discipline is Destiny_ but their all sold out here (France). So should I wait despondently for a while to restock or should I consider to by it's immaterial form?

[@DailyStoic]

You can pre-order it at store.dailystoic.com/pages/discipline

[@xCoNa14]

Can we get English captions please ❤

[@kirodezno12]

Being a work in progress with stoicism as my way of living, makes me feel invincible.

[@seecodygo]

Discipline = Freedom

[@richardcouch4786]

Ryan - Did notice some hip flicking when your Running, especially the right leg. 7 way hip exercise could help 😁 Big fan of your work past few years...5th year/read of daily stoic. I'm sure the Stoics had some thoughts on unsolicited advice (career hazard for me)

[@maryammohammed7386]

One thing could only free you and that is worshipping the one and only one who created you, gave you hearing, sight and a lot of blessings 🙌 be grateful to god and do not associate with him anything 🙏

[@josephchuks7626]

🙏🏽

[@moalston4203]

1:29- Balance is key in life don't over work and be a workaholic

[@havefunbesafe]

Ryan you look like a young Fred Gwynn!

[@xfilion]

Any chance you could create a list of stoic philosophers to research?

[@mbarras_ing]

Start with Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus. Good places to start are: Meditations - On the shortness of life - Enchiridion

[@xfilion]

@@mbarras_ing Thank you. I've got the Marcus Aurelius book and Seneca's. I'll look out for some more.

[@savageantelope3306]

3:45 Certain Self-Improvement KZbinrs should take note

[@BetterWorldOrder]

I have what's probably an unusual question for you. While I found a lot of value in your video, something that jumped out at me is your note card system. They look like 5x8 cards, and I'm curious where you got the container/organizer for them. I've been searching since I watched this video and am so far unable to find the container.

[@BetterWorldOrder]

To put this in context, I've been struggling to find a way to organize my thoughts for writing a book, speeches, etc. What you're using seems ideal.

[@kirstenshindler7767]

I like turtlenecks and tweed!

[@alexgodwin5806]

Third...🔥🔥

[@greenant8078]

The apostle Paul also talks about disciplining his body making it like a slave in 1 Corinthians 9:27

[@chris10hi]

I have a question for you, if they developed these great values, how did they lost it and unravelled?

[@jon-paulgell5467]

read the stoic texts - they are all free!

[@williamprescott6432]

Flexibility, spontaneity, levity… those can be lost with self discipline as your focus and it is a downside

[@chmendez]

How to apply the right amount of discipline in our lives? When it's too much? When it's too little? Big questions

[@alberthessler4047]

Remember leg day bro- Seneca

[@heatherheather600]

😊😊💕

[@nabeelahmed9892]

please add English subtitles in all your videos as English is not my native language

[@manashdatta6487]

David Goggins watching this video.