Perseverance: 7 Stoic Lessons on How to Keep Calm and Stoic On

Last week, I stared at my laptop screen at 3 AM, wondering if I should just give up. The project I'd been working on for months was falling apart. Key team members had quit. The client was unhappy. And I was exhausted.

That's when I remembered something Marcus Aurelius wrote during the darkest days of his reign:

"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."

These weren't just pretty words to him. He wrote them while facing a devastating plague, multiple wars, and the betrayal of one of his most trusted generals. Yet he persevered – not just survived, but led with wisdom and grace through it all.

This made me wonder: What did the Stoics know about perseverance that we've forgotten? How did they maintain their resolve through challenges that would break most of us?

After diving deep into their writings and testing their methods in my own life, I've discovered seven powerful lessons about how to keep going when everything feels impossible. These aren't just philosophical ideas – they're practical tools that have helped thousands of my readers transform their approach to life's biggest challenges.

Let's explore what these ancient teachers can tell us about modern perseverance.

1. The Power of the Present Moment

"Don't let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole," Marcus Aurelius advised. "Stick with the situation at hand."

This first lesson might seem counterintuitive. When we're struggling to persevere, our instinct is to focus on the end goal, to keep our eyes on the prize. But the Stoics knew something we often forget: The weight of the entire journey can crush us if we try to carry it all at once.

Instead, they taught us how to break down overwhelming challenges into manageable moments:

• Focus only on the next step

• Deal with each obstacle as it comes

• Remember that you only ever have to handle this moment

When I applied this to my struggling project, something shifted. Instead of being paralyzed by the entire scope of the problem, I asked myself: "What's the one thing I can do right now?"

The answer was simple: Write one email to the client addressing their main concern. That's all. Just one email.

This microscopic focus might seem like it would slow you down, but paradoxically, it's what allows you to keep going. By breaking down the impossible into the immediately doable, you maintain momentum.

How to Persevere Through the Darkest Times

The second lesson comes from Epictetus, who taught that true perseverance isn't about brute force – it's about perspective.

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters," he said. This isn't just philosophical poetry; it's a practical framework for resilience.

Here's how to apply it:

1. Separate what happened from your interpretation of what happened

2. Question your initial reaction

3. Choose a perspective that empowers rather than defeats you

When my team members quit, my first interpretation was: "This project is doomed." But was it? Or was this an opportunity to rebuild with a stronger team? The situation hadn't changed, but by shifting my perspective, my ability to persevere did.

3. The Discipline of Small Wins

Seneca understood something crucial about human psychology: We need evidence of progress to maintain motivation. He wrote, "Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested."

The key phrase here is "well invested." The Stoics were masters of investing their energy wisely by:

• Celebrating small victories

• Creating measurable progress

• Building momentum through consistent action

When facing my project challenges, I started keeping a "Small Wins" journal. Every tiny step forward got recorded. Fixed one bug? Written down. Clarified one client concern? Noted. These small acknowledgments became fuel for perseverance.

4. The Strength of Surrender

Here's a paradox the Stoics understood deeply: Sometimes the key to perseverance is knowing what to let go of. Marcus Aurelius put it this way: "The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing... you have to be ready to keep your balance and stand firm against unexpected blows."

This means:

• Accepting what you cannot control

• Adapting your approach when needed

• Remaining flexible in your methods while staying firm in your purpose

In my case, this meant letting go of my original project timeline and team structure. By surrendering these initial expectations, I found new solutions I couldn't see before.

5. The Community Factor

While the Stoics emphasized internal strength, they also recognized the power of community. Seneca wrote extensively to his friends, sharing encouragement and wisdom. This teaches us that perseverance isn't a solo sport.

Modern application includes:

• Finding mentors who've faced similar challenges

• Building a support network

• Sharing your struggles with those who understand

When I finally opened up about my project challenges to other entrepreneurs, I discovered I wasn't alone. Their stories and solutions provided new energy to keep going.

6. The Role of Rest

Here's something surprising: The Stoics understood the importance of strategic rest. Musonius Rufus taught that just as land needs fallow periods to remain fertile, humans need rest to maintain their strength.

True perseverance requires:

• Regular periods of recovery

• Mindful breaks

• Strategic disconnection

This was perhaps the hardest lesson for me to learn. Only when I started scheduling deliberate rest periods did I find the strength to tackle problems with renewed clarity.

7. The Greater Purpose

Finally, the Stoics knew that perseverance becomes easier when connected to a greater purpose. As Marcus Aurelius reminded himself: "What is your art? To be good."

This means:

• Connecting your struggle to your values

• Understanding how your perseverance serves others

• Seeing challenges as opportunities for growth

When I reconnected with why I started my project – to create something that would genuinely help people – my resolve strengthened. The how became easier once I reconnected with the why.

Putting It All Together

These seven Stoic lessons on perseverance aren't just theoretical – they're practical tools for modern challenges. Here's how to implement them:

1. Start your day by identifying the one next step you need to take

2. Practice perspective shifting when facing obstacles

3. Keep a Small Wins journal

4. List what you need to let go of

5. Build your support network

6. Schedule regular rest periods

7. Connect daily tasks to your greater purpose

Remember what Epictetus taught: "First say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do."

The Path Forward

Perseverance isn't about never falling – it's about getting up one more time than you fall. The Stoics knew this 2,000 years ago, and their wisdom remains powerfully relevant today.

As I write this, my project is back on track. Not because everything went perfectly, but because these ancient teachings helped me develop the resilience to keep going when giving up seemed easier.

Start with one lesson. Practice it today. Then add another tomorrow. Remember: perseverance, like any skill, grows stronger with practice.

Your challenges may be different from mine, but the principles of perseverance remain the same. As Marcus Aurelius would remind us: "The obstacle is the way."

What's your next step?