Stoic Principles | Tom O'Leary

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MEMENTO MORI

“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. . . .The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.” (Seneca, Moral Letters, 101.7b– 8a)

This could be my last day. How would I like to live it?

AMOR FATI

“Don’t seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will— then your life will flow well.” (Epictetus, Enchiridion, 8)

How can I be more open to whatever happens today?

KNOWING WHAT IS MINE

It is important to distinguish between what is up to us and what is not.

What is under my control and what is not?

PREMEDITATIO MALORUM

“This is why we say that nothing happens to the wise person contrary to their expectations.” (Seneca, On Tranquillity of Mind, 13.3b)

What might happen today that would turn my world upside down?

EGO IS THE ENEMY

“Zeno would also say that nothing is more hostile to a firm grasp on knowledge than self-deception.” (Diogenes Laertius, Lives Of The Eminent Philosophers, 7.23)

Where is the Ego in my decision-making?

EMBRACE DISCOMFORT

How can I embrace “discomfort” such that it isn’t a barrier to living more fully into the possibility life offers me?

SUMMUM BONUM

“Indeed, if you find anything in human life better than justice, truth, self-control, courage— in short, anything better than the sufficiency of your own mind, which keeps you acting according to the demands of true reason and accepting what fate gives you outside of your own power of choice— I tell you, if you can see anything better than this, turn to it heart and soul and take full advantage of this greater good you’ve found.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 3.6.1)

What represents a good life?

SYMPATHEIA

“Meditate often on the interconnectedness and mutual interdependence of all things in the universe. All things are mutually woven together and therefore have an affinity for each other—for one thing follows after another according to their tension of movement, their sympathetic stirrings, and the unity of all substance.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.38)

How might I meditate on the interconnectedness of everything?

THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY

“While it’s true that someone can impede our actions, they can’t impede our intentions and our attitudes, which have the power of being conditional and adaptable. For the mind adapts and converts any obstacle to its action into a means of achieving it.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.20)

What obstacles might I turn into opportunities?

Tom’s innate ability to listen and empathise enabled me to relax and really explore the issues that were causing me some anxiety. Our sessions provided me with an enhanced sense of self-awareness and a considered plan of action. The benefits in terms of relationships and self-confidence this process has given me are invaluable, in both work and life in general!

Testimonial from Sean

I went for coaching with Tom, without knowing what I wanted but knowing that I needed some help after having a number of setbacks with interviews. By the end of the first session, I was beginning to realise my problems. By the end of the second session, I was beginning to realise what I wanted. In our final two sessions, Tom helped me to identify a strategy for achieving my goals.
I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions. Tom listened without judgement, guided without being opinionated and ultimately helped me to help myself. You can’t ask more from a coach.

Testimonial from Paul

I didn’t think I had a specific need for a coach, however, having met Tom outside of our professional roles we decided to set up a coaching programme. I’m delighted we did. Tom’s approach is based on taking it slow, listening first and asking questions you won’t have thought of second. The latter always result in positive actions to take away and implement immediately. Now, I’m really looking forward to continuing our working relationship.

Testimonial from James Crothall, Account Director at AMO DIGITAL

I’ve been catching up with Tom for now, over three years. It is a moment where I’m able to create space away from the noise and the busyness of my life to really tackle whatever is top of my mind. This can be on the professional side and can be on my personal side. My conversations with Tom are really conversations we have dialogues that we have, and a walk away from these meetings with clarity around ideas of how to convey pragmatically and practically tackle some of the challenges and the issues which I wanted to discuss with Tom. But I think more importantly, with a greater degree of confidence in my ability to solve for these topics. I’ve been really enjoying my catch up with Tom I hope to continue to do so in the future and I highly recommend anybody to give it a go.

Testimonial from Tommaso

Testimonial from Sean, Ireland

Testimonial from Paul, Ireland