Pursuing the 'Unattainable'

Author

Betwixt Chaos
October 28, 2023

Stoicism on Pursuing the ‘Unattainable’

Have you ever looked at something and truly wondered if you can accomplish it?

We all get that voice in our head: “What if I can’t do it?” or “What if it’s not for me?” Maybe it was a business venture, a workout plan, a personal project, etc…

It’s an event that happens to everyone that determines how they react to pressure and how they handle their ego.

But how do we know which projects, businesses, or workouts to pursue?

The Stoics said we do this by measuring the difficulty of the task with our own strength, and this is our 1st quote (out of 2) of the week:

📚 Quote of the Week #1📚

“Next, we must estimate the matters themselves that we are undertaking, and must compare our strength with the things we are about to attempt;

for the doer must always be stronger than his task; burdens that are too heavy for their bearer must necessarily crush him.”

Seneca, On The Tranquility of the Mind (pg. 22)

But what do we do if…

You see a mountain of obstacles ahead, and think you can’t do it - but you must continue forth? What choices do you have?

I’d argue that the Stoics would also say to pursue. I know. Completely contradictory to their previous quote, but the reason why is explained in our 2nd quote of the week:

📚 Quote of the Week #2📚

“I think you’re unhappy because you have never been happy: you have passed through your life without meeting an antagonist: no one will know your powers, not even yourself.

For a man cannot know himself without trial; no one learnt what he could do without putting himself to the test.”

Seneca, On Providence (IV.)

🛣️ So, What Do You Do at a Crossroads?

There’s a personal fine line between what you can do vs. what you cannot do, and only you personally know that boundary; however, if you’re stuck deciding between these two, there is 1 thing to gravitate to:

Measuring your strength and keeping your ego in mind. You don’t want to brute force a task only to just give up a week later. If you can’t do it, then so be it. You save time and energy in the process.

But if there is a slight, even the slightest, chance of success that you can endure; put yourself on trial and fight against the antagonist.

It will grow your skill, prove yourself worthy, and allows you to face adversity and grow your character in the process. If you succeed, you succeed; but if you don’t, you learned valuable lessons along the way.

Cheers,

Betwixt

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