Marcus Aurelius on doing less

Dying Every Day (Day 83)

The Thinker by Jacob Jordaens (Public domain)

💀 Dying Every Day

Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) is a podcast by the Perennial Leader Project. Each episode turns a selected passage from Stoic philosophy into a guided meditation designed to help you (and me) learn how to live.

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Marcus Aurelius on doing less

Welcome to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year). This is Day 83, and we’re turning to the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius to learn how to do less.

In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself,

‘If you seek tranquillity, do less.’ Or (more accurately) do what’s essential—what the logos of a social being requires, and in the requisite way. Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’ But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well. To eliminate the unnecessary actions that follow.

And then you might see what the life of the good man is like—someone content with what nature assigns him, and satisfied with being just and kind himself.

+Adapted from Meditations, 4.24-25

How good are you at distinguishing what’s essential?

What about the notion of saying “no” to what isn’t essential?

If we’re honest with ourselves, most of what we say and do is not essential. We typically add far more things to our calendars than we remove. We say “yes” much more often than we say no.

The tendency (or bias) to add instead of subtract has been proven by modern research. The American author and professor Leidy Klotz (a previous podcast guest) writes in Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less,

Do your resolutions more often start with “I should do more of…” than with “I should do less of…”? Do you have more stuff than you used to? … Are you busier today than you were three years ago? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. In our striving to improve our lives, our work, and our society, we overwhelmingly add.

Like many Stoic lessons, the call to “do less” sounds obvious and counterintuitive. However, it’s important to remember that the Stoics often point out aspects of human nature that we overlook (or forget).

Reflection Prompt

Consider reflecting (or journaling) on what it would mean to do less. You could ask yourself, “What are the obstacles (or downsides) of focusing on what’s essential?” and/or “How can I remember to ask myself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’”

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Thank you for listening; I hope you found something useful.

Until next time, be wise and be well,

J.W.

P.S. I greatly appreciate your time, attention, and support!