?? Insightful Stoic Quote - Skills vs Script ??
Came across two powerful quotes this morning by Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, that emphasize the importance of cultivating skills to handle situations rather than relying on others to dictate your actions:
1?? "Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens." - Epictetus
2?? "In this way, you must understand how laughable it is to say, 'Tell me what to do!' What advice could I possibly give? No, a far better request is, 'Train my mind to adapt to any circumstance.' In this way, if circumstances take you off script...you won't be desperate for a new prompting." - Epictetus, Discourses, 2.2.20b-1; 24b-25a
These quotes remind us to focus on developing our own abilities and skills to navigate life's challenges, rather than waiting for someone else to tell us what to do. By doing so, we become more self-reliant and better equipped to handle any situation that comes our way.
As a Solutions Engineer I need to be flexible and adapt and these quotes from thousands of years ago ring so true to me. I see new and experienced Solutions Engineers just looking for a script. But it's crucial to build the right skills and know how to be flexible in both life and career.
What do you think? ?? Share your thoughts and experiences, and let's encourage each other to be adaptable and skillful in our pursuits! ??