Happiness and contentment from understanding what you control
Every other week, I write and circulate a Win and Wisdom Wednesday piece of wisdom for our whole Calgary KPMG Canada Advisory team (the offsetting week is a win story where we unpack how and why we won work). Each piece ideally can be read on your mobile without scrolling (very difficult to pack a punch of wisdom that concisely). Given the incredible reaction from our wisdom piece today, I thought I would broaden the circulation to LinkedIn for this one. Note that I have not modified the piece; I make reference to "KPMG consultants" but you will see that the wisdom applies to all of us in our professional and personal lives.
Here it is:
As KPMG consultants, embracing the principles of Stoicism can profoundly enhance both our professional and personal lives. The ancient wisdom of Stoic philosophers like Musonius Rufus, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius offers invaluable insights into how we can navigate challenges, manage stress, and achieve greater effectiveness in our roles.
Musonius Rufus reminds us, "We must concern ourselves absolutely with the things that are under our control and entrust the things not in our control to the universe." This insight is crucial in the fast-paced consulting environment where we often face situations beyond our influence, such as client decisions or market conditions. By focusing our energy on what we can control—our responses, preparation, and work quality—we can maintain a sense of calm and purpose, even amid uncertainty. This approach not only reduces stress, but also allows us to be more strategic and effective in our work.
Epictetus echoes this sentiment in several quotes. He advises, "Just keep in mind: the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have." This is particularly relevant when managing client expectations and project outcomes. Instead of being overly attached to specific results, we should invest in doing our best work and maintaining professional integrity. This mindset shift helps us stay resilient and adaptable, turning potential setbacks into learning opportunities.
Moreover, Epictetus emphasizes, "It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." In consulting, unexpected challenges and changes are inevitable. Our success and satisfaction depend significantly on our ability to respond constructively. By viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth and innovation, we can turn difficulties into steppingstones for success.
A comprehensive list of things we can control, such as our beliefs, attitude, thoughts, honesty, and kindness, offers practical guidance for daily life and work. For instance, how we interpret situations, express gratitude, or choose to ask for help are all within our control and can significantly impact our professional demeanor and client relationships. By consciously managing these aspects, we can create a positive and productive working environment.
Marcus Aurelius adds, "There is never any need to get worked up about things you can’t control." This principle is a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy and is especially relevant in consulting, where unpredictable elements are part of the job. By accepting and letting go of what we cannot control, we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and focus on delivering excellence in our sphere of influence.
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In conclusion, the wisdom of Stoicism teaches us to distinguish between what we can and cannot control, to respond thoughtfully to challenges, and to find contentment in our efforts rather than in external outcomes. By integrating these principles into our consulting practices at KPMG, we can enhance our professional effectiveness, reduce stress, and cultivate a more fulfilling career.
Further materials:
[Note that I always include books, videos, TedTalks, etc. that our people can explore if they wish to go deeper into the wisdom.]
Stoicism reading list (in this order in terms of approachability):?
Other materials:
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5 个月Have been thinking a lot recently about the idea of fighting the current vs letting it go around you. Really just a metaphor for this concept. Even though I know this stuff, I still get it wrong.