Chicken Soup For The Stoic

Jack Canfield, bestselling author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul book series, lives by a simple formula that any Stoic would love.

E + R = O

E stands for Event.

R stands for Reaction.

O stands for Outcome.

We can’t control E, the events that happen to us in our lives. We can only control R, our reactions to those events. Thus, if we want to change O, our outcome, we must change our R.

This echoes Marcus Aurelius’ wonderful advice, “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

It’s inevitable that when you’re making your passion project, all kinds of E’s will come up. Don’t judge them. Instead, immediately notice your R’s, your reactions to those events. Are they positive or negative? How do you feel when you think them? Will they help move the project forward?

If not, change them. You’ll feel better. You’ll take productive actions. And in the process, you’ll change your outcome.