“A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking,” writes Alejandro Betancourt, quoting Nassim Nicholas Taleb. As an entrepreneur, investor, and single father, Betancourt has found enduring wisdom in Stoic principles that remains remarkably relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges
Stoicism, established around 300 BC by Zeno of Citium, emphasizes developing self-control and fortitude to overcome destructive emotions. For Betancourt, these ancient teachings provide practical tools for navigating contemporary challenges—from business uncertainties to parenting dilemmas.
“In our fast-paced world, finding peace and balance can often seem like an elusive goal,” Betancourt observes in “Applying Stoic Principles in Everyday Life.” Yet he finds that Stoicism offers a path to these goals through its core tenets.
Four Stoic Principles for Everyday Application
Alejandro Betancourt highlights four key Stoic principles that have transformed his approach to life’s inevitable ups and downs:
1. Focus on What You Can Control
“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control,” Betancourt quotes from Epictetus.
In business ventures and parenting alike, Betancourt applies this principle by directing his energy toward his own actions and responses rather than outcomes beyond his influence. This shift in focus reduces anxiety and increases effectiveness.
2. Negative Visualization
The Stoic practice of premeditatio malorum—imagining potential negative scenarios—might seem pessimistic but actually builds resilience. Betancourt regularly contemplates challenges that might arise in his businesses or family life, not to worry but to prepare mentally.
“By imagining the worst, I’m rarely caught off guard, and I often find that reality is less severe than what I imagined,” he notes. This practice creates psychological immunity to setbacks and fosters gratitude for what goes well.
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3. The View from Above
Stoics practiced taking a cosmic perspective on problems, imagining viewing their concerns from far above. Alejandro Betancourt applies this when facing stressful situations, asking himself how significant the issue will seem in the future.
This perspective shift helps him distinguish between genuinely important matters and temporary frustrations, allowing for more balanced responses.
4. Voluntary Discomfort
Perhaps most counterintuitive is the Stoic practice of voluntarily experiencing discomfort to build resilience. Betancourt incorporates this through cold showers, occasional fasting, or purposely tackling difficult conversations rather than avoiding them.
“These small challenges inoculate us against larger ones and remind us of our capacity to endure,” he explains. This principle connects with his “Soaked and Smirking” philosophy of embracing rather than avoiding life’s inevitable discomforts.
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Practical Benefits in Entrepreneurship and Parenting
For Alejandro Betancourt, Stoicism provides tangible benefits across life domains:
In entrepreneurship, Stoic principles help him maintain equanimity during business volatility, make decisions based on values rather than emotions, and persist through inevitable setbacks.
As a single father of twins, Stoicism offers tools for modeling resilience, teaching children to distinguish between what they can and cannot control, and maintaining perspective during parenting challenges.
Not Suppression, But Transformation
Importantly, Betancourt emphasizes that Stoicism isn’t about suppressing emotions but transforming our relationship with them. “It’s not about becoming emotionless, but about responding to emotions with wisdom rather than reactivity,” he clarifies.
In a world of constant change and uncertainty, these ancient principles offer timeless guidance for living with greater purpose, resilience, and tranquility—proving that some wisdom truly is eternal.
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