Jonas Salzgeber is the author of The Little Book of Stoicism and writes for a small army of remarkable people at NJlifehacks, a popular personal development website with over 50,000 monthly visitors, which Jonas founded with his brother Nils. His simple, practical, and concise approach to Stoic philosophy helps people with the most important step: to put the wisdom from book page into action. Just in the sense of Epictetus’ question, “If you didn’t learn these things in order to demonstrate them in practice, what did you learn them for?” In our interview below, Jonas shares some of the most popular exercises or ideas from his latest book, the great “life hack” found by looking at Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, what Stoicism is missing, and much more. Please enjoy this interview with Jonas Salzgeber!
You created NJlifehacks where you write a lot about Stoicism. How and why did you decide to start it? You have said that “Nothing changed my life as favorably as Stoic philosophy” so we’d be curious to learn more about that journey.
My brother Nils and I (Nils & Jonas à NJ) have for a long time shared our interest in personal growth. How to get better basically at everything that matters – also health and fitness, but primarily as a person.
We’d become avid readers and started sharing what we learned on our blog NJlifehacks. Pretty early on Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way sparked my interest in Stoic philosophy. It was love at first sight and I devoured books, podcasts, and videos at full speed. I wanted to know what Stoicism was all about. That’s a bit of a blessing and a curse Nils and I share too, if we’re interested in something, we must learn all about it. We do our research thoroughly.
I must admit, when I learned so many new things from the Stoics, I didn’t put everything into practice right away. Despite Epictetus’ warnings, I became The Lion in the Classroom. However, I took their core teachings to heart immediately.
Stoicism teaches to focus on what you control, and accepting the rest as it happens. And that trying to do the right thing will always be enough. These simple strategies fueled my confidence remarkably. I learned that if I try my very best, there’s really nothing that can harm me. Because harm comes from myself, from my thoughts and judgments, not from what happens around me. So if I try my best, no matter the outcome, I won’t blame myself as I’ve tried my absolute best, and others’ blame won’t hurt me as I can confidently say, “Look, I’ve tried my best. And now I’ll accept the outcome.”
Then you reflect on your actions, maybe learn something new, and adapt for the next time.
Which have been the most popular posts on the site that our readers should check out? And did the reception of a particular post surprise you?
The most popular? Easily “What is Stoicism?” This just shows how popular Stoicism has become in recent years (big thanks to Ryan here). People hear about it, or stumble upon a wise quote, and want to learn what it’s all about.
Whether people are interested in Stoicism or not, they enjoy the article Amor Fati: Accept and Love Everything that Happens. If you’re new to Stoicism, and also Buddhism, this seems like a massive challenge, to accept everything that happens. That’s where this article helps you as it shares three simple strategies from Eckhart Tolle: nonresistance, nonjudgement, and nonattachment.
Here’s something that surprised me in the beginning: No matter how straightforward you believe an idea to be, there will always be people who find something to argue with. Even if you simply share an idea you find useful, without trying to polarize, some people will find a way to criticize it. Which is completely fine. This has always been a great reminder that different people have different perceptions.
An example: In my view, it was clear that listening is an important skill. And it’s more important than speaking. So, when we shared the Stoic idea that Listening Trumps Speaking on Reddit, I was a bit surprised to receive mixed feedback on that straightforward idea. From Epictetus: “Let silence be your goal for the most part; say only what is necessary, and be brief about it.”
One feedback I remember in particular. This person asked what happens when two Stoics are having a conversation – you can’t just be silent… I guess you can always take it too far, and you can always (try to) misunderstand something. The Stoics would say, “Apply reason.”
Do you have a favorite Stoic? Any favorite quotes?
A favorite Stoic? I like all of them for their unique excellence. Seneca for his stunning writings and his humanness. Musonius Rufus for his practicality and his incredible perseverance. Epictetus for his understandable explanations and his simplicity. Marcus Aurelius for his humility and prudence as an emperor.
Favorite Stoic quotes? Let me give you a favorite of each Stoic:
“When philosophy is wielded with arrogance and stubbornly, it is the cause for the ruin of many. Let philosophy scrape off your own faults, rather than be a way to rail against the faults of others.” – Seneca, Moral Letters, 103.5
“Suppose there are two doctors. One talks brilliantly about the practice of medicine but has no experience in taking care of the sick. The other is not capable of speaking well but is experienced in treating his patients according to medical theory. Which one would you go to? – I would go to the doctor who is experienced in healing.” – Musonius Rufus, Lecture V
“Difficulties show a person’s character. So when a challenge confronts you, remember that God is matching you with a younger sparring partner, as would a physical trainer. Why? Becoming an Olympian takes sweat! I think no one has a better challenge than yours, if only you would use it like an athlete would that younger sparring partner.” – Epictetus, Discourses, 1.24.1-2
“Keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on—it isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. A real man doesn’t give way to anger and discontent, and such a person has strength, courage, and endurance—unlike the angry and complaining. The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 11.18.5
You also recently published The Little Book of Stoicism, which contains 55 Stoic practices. Which exercises or ideas from the book do you see readers find the most benefit from and rave about?
What people like most about The Little Book of Stoicism is that it makes Stoic philosophy accessible to everybody. As one reader put it: “It is a truly wonderful, direct and digestible explanation of the ancient philosophy. It is refreshing and rare to read philosophy without developing a bald spot from excessive head scratching.”
In short, The Little Book of Stoicism gives you a simple overview of Stoicism, is easy to understand, and highly practical.
The Stoic Happiness Triangle is one reason for this simplicity. It explains Stoicism in a simple and visual way. In short: At the center lies Eudaimonia, the overall goal of life: to live a smoothly flowing life. Then the three corners consist of Living with Aretê: Express your best version moment to moment to moment. To get there, the Stoics used a simple strategy: Focus on What You Control and Take the Rest as it Happens. Therefore, to the Stoics, what you choose to do with the given situation is what matters, not the situation itself. That’s where our Responsibility comes from: We are able to choose our response to the given circumstances.
In essence, that’s what Stoicism is all about. As Epictetus said, “If you want anything good, get it from yourself.”
The Stoic Archer is another idea people find useful. In the book, you learn about the Swiss legend of William Tell, who, with his crossbow, shot an apple off his son’s head. In modern terms, the Stoic Archer is about focusing on the process instead of the outcome.
You focus on what you control (the process) – preparation, training, concentration – and accept the out-of-control-outcome with equanimity. You still try your best to get to the desired outcome (as your process co-directs the outcome), at the same time you understand that the outcome is beyond your control.
It’s our intention and the way we do things that matter, not how they will turn out.
There is a kind of possessive criticism in some Stoic circles of so called “life hack Stoicism”—that it’s somehow wrong to look at this philosophy and try to apply it to being more efficient or productive or successful. They say the Stoics were about virtue, not about getting ahead at work. Given that you write at NJlifehacks, what’s your reaction to that?
First and foremost, Stoic philosophy is about being a good person. That’s the credo. Live with prudence, justice, courage, and temperance. Live with reason and for the common welfare. As good as you can, moment to moment to moment. That needs to be given, otherwise it has nothing to do with Stoicism.
As long as you don’t compromise your character, I don’t see anything wrong with getting ahead at work. Why do you need one or the other? I believe that being a good person, living with virtue, will improve your overall life. Whether you want it or not.
Stoicism helps you deal more effectively with whatever life throws at you. Now, this will also help you at work. Fortunately.
If practicing Stoic philosophy makes you more confident for example, you might get an added bonus of success at work, in your relationships, and in your fitness routine. Even if that’s not the initial goal, it’s still an added benefit that might leave you with extra energy for practicing the virtues. Even the better, right?
Putting that aside, is there something in Stoicism that jumps out at you at being a great little life hack?
That depends on the definition of a life hack. For me, Stoicism offers countless strategies that can help us improve our lives.
In Stoicism, it matters what you do with the given situations. So our chosen actions are crucially important. And to be able to choose our actions voluntarily, we need to be present in the moment. We need to be mindful of our every step.
We find a great life hack, if you will, by looking at Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. I don’t mean the content, but just at what the Meditations are: personal reflections, to himself.
Why don’t we start there? Reflect upon your actions. What did you do well? Where could you improve? Who do you want to be in this world? What do you want to stand for? What’s important to you?
Such personal reflection will improve your mindfulness throughout the day. This might be the most important step you can take toward personal growth.
What does your daily Stoic routine look like? Any particular Stoic exercises that you practice regularly?
My Stoic evening routine is personal reflection. Each night, I sit down to write in my journal. Among other things, I ask myself three questions:
- What did I do well today?
- What could I do better?
- What could I do to express my best?
What else? I regularly practice voluntary discomfort: I sometimes sleep on the floor, take cold showers, go outside underdressed, fast for a day, take my bike despite cold and wet weather, say no that pleasantries, and many other things.
Until recently I didn’t call it this way, but I practice the Stoic Test Strategy. William Irvine explains it in his book The Stoic Challenge this way: “According to Seneca, God (think Jupiter) sets us back not to punish us but to give us an opportunity to do something courageous and thereby increase our chances of attaining ‘the highest possible excellence.’”
Basically, the idea is that when we experience a setback, we frame it as an opportunity for growth, and we are being tested for our own good.
Any aspects of Stoicism that you find particularly difficult to practice? Or are there any concepts that you disagree with or reject?
In Stoicism, reason is our highest faculty. Which I find reasonable. However, if you want to apply reason to everything, it can make you head-focused. What’s missing? The heart. We shouldn’t underestimate our inner intelligence. We need to learn to look inward, and listen to this inner intelligence, wherever its origin may be found – heart, soul, spirit?
At least, that’s my experience. Sometimes I know something not in my head, but in my heart. I know it, but am not able to explain it with words. Something inside me knows this truth. It’s hard to explain. Is this intuition? And then the mind is quick to look for explanations, but first, it’s felt inside. I call it inner intelligence. And I want to listen to it more often, and (re)learn this skill to understand it with certainty.
Another point is compassion. The Stoics are compassionate with others. They want to be forgiving, kind, and supportive with others. With themselves? Much less so. For what I’ve experienced, self-compassion is true magic. And it’s something I’d recommend to everyone.
Whenever you have a bad moment, be kind to yourself as you would to a friend. This won’t make you unambitious or lazy, but it’ll help you get back on track faster.
What else? People will find many negative points in Stoic philosophy if they’re looking for it. But if you’re looking at how it can help you and if you apply Stoicism with reason, you won’t find many ideas to completely disagree with. Adjusted to modern life, their ancient ideas can be truly valuable today.
Aside from the Stoic canon, what books—or even movies and documentaries—would you recommend to our readers who want to live a meaningful life? What would be some good compliments to the typical Stoic reading list?
Books:
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
Mastery by George Leonard
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Living on Your Own Terms by Osho
Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown
Relentless by Tim Grover
Movies:
Dunkirk (2017)
The Shawshank Redemption
