The Client Letter
November 25, 2013
The Desert of Arizona
Sun 55 Degrees
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Not too long ago, I read this book by Epictetus (epick-TEE-tus) and Sharon Lebell. It’s a very easy read and an excellent book. I recommend it highly.
Epictetus, of course, was a Stoic.
One of the tenets of Stoicism is that you stop worrying about things outside your control.
And yet, if I look back at all of the crappy situations I’ve been in with clients–and some of the stuff I’ve worried about…
Well, here are a few examples. These might just sound familiar:
“Will I get the sale? Will they accept the fee? Will they like my work? Will they be my friend?” OK, so I was exaggerating there with the last one, but you get the point.
Strike 1, strike 2, strike 3… yoooouuurrrrr miserable! That’s pretty much what happens if you spend your time worrying about that kind of stuff.
Do you notice something similar between all of those worries and fears I listed?
Well, they are all pretty much things that are beyond my control. And despite that, a ton of energy got pumped into those things.
I would definitely have failed as a student of Epictetus.
There are two problems with doing this in your business.
The first problem is that this type of activity drives you insane. The second problem is that it uses up your energy that could have been directed towards items that you do control.
Take a quick inventory of what you spent your time thinking about today. How many of those things were under your control? How many were completely outside your control?
In my experience, making the switch requires nothing more than the WILL to build a new habit.
Much like brushing your teeth, anyone can do this.
What would happen to your business if you invested 0% of your time or energy in thinking/worrying about things that are not in your control?
My hunch is that your life and business would transform in miraculous ways.