202307201354 Status: #the-standards #lam-zett #🖤 Tags: #process #philosophy #management #discipline # Hard Choices, Easy Life > _"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one."_ > — [[Marcus Aurelius]] #quote > _"Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life."_ > — [[Jerzy Gregorek]] #quote ## Overview Without sounding too much like a tech bro, stoicism has meant a lot to me. Tim Ferriss calls it an "operating system", and I like that. Marcus Aurelius and Jerzy Gregorek weren't in the same book club, but they're singing from the same hymn sheet. Life isn't about taking the path of least resistance, it's about making the right choices, even when they're tough. The Stoics knew it, Jerzy knows it, and you probably know it too. It's the difference between looking at the mountain and deciding to climb it, or pretending it isn't there. The mountain doesn't care. It's still there, and it's only getting bigger. ## Examples ### Lying is fucking exhuasting You know the little white lie that saves you in the moment but comes back to bite you later? That's your easy choice leading to a hard life. It might save you a difficult conversation today, but it weaves a web that's going to ensnare you tomorrow, next week, or next year. Being honest, now that's tough. It's admitting you were wrong, it's telling your friend they have something in their teeth, it's saying what needs to be said, even when it makes your stomach squirm. But here's the kicker: the truth doesn't tie you in knots. It's out there, it's said, and you're free. Hard choice, easy life. ### Healthy is hard Choosing the bag of chips over the bowl of salad, skipping the morning run for an extra hour in bed — we've all been there. Easy choices, right? But when those choices stack up, they lead to a life that's anything but easy. On the other hand, picking the salad, lacing up your running shoes, hitting the gym — these are hard choices that lead to an easy life. And by 'easy', we mean a life of better health, more energy, and lower stress. Hard choices now, a happier, healthier you later. ### Be better Staring at a problem or a difficult concept and deciding "I'll figure it out later" is an easy choice, but it stunts your growth. The mountain is still there, getting steeper. Rolling up your sleeves, diving head-first into the problem until you crack it — now that's a hard choice. But this choice broadens your knowledge, sharpens your skills, and primes you for future challenges. Each hard-won lesson is a step on a path to an easier life. ### Conflict sucks No one likes conflict. It's far easier to sweep things under the rug, keep the peace, avoid the conversation. But the rug can only hide so much, and the mountain keeps growing. Facing conflict head-on, having the difficult conversations — those are hard choices. But they clear the air, solve problems, and often strengthen relationships. It's a short-term pain for long-term gain. An initial moment of discomfort paves the way for an easier, smoother life down the line. ## References - [Meditations by Marcus Aurelius](https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/0812968255/) - [The Happy Body: The Simple Science of Nutrition, Exercise, and Relaxation by Jerzy Gregorek](https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Body-Exercise-Relaxation-Black/dp/0982403811) - [Letters from a Stoic by Seneca](https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Stoic-Epistulae-Morales-Ad-Lucilium/dp/0486811247/)