Most of us understand that one of the basic ideas of Stoicism is to ignore what is not under our control. However, the corollary of that idea, “act on what is under your control” is often ignored by many practitioners. Acting on what you control is as important as ignoring what you don’t control. In this and the next article, we will explore this concept. 

The big idea 4 

If you deal with only those things that are under your control, no one can force you to do anything you don’t want to do; no one can stop you. You will have no enemy and no harm will come to you. 

Epictetus Enchiridion, 5 

To ignore what is beyond our control can eliminate a lot of our problems. However, to have a truly flourishing life we need to go a step further: We also need to act on what is within our control. Winning a game may not be under your control. But playing the game well and enjoying it is under your control. Whether you will keep your job or lose it may not be under your control. But doing your job well so you are less likely to lose it is under your control. Eradicating poverty in the world may not be under your control. But helping someone who is poor is under your control. In fact, when we concentrate only on what we do control, we increase the chance of avoiding undesirable outcomes. 

Acting on what you control 

Acting on what is within your power is one of the most neglected aspects of Stoic philosophy. People who look at Stoicism superficially often believe that Stoicism simply accepts whatever life presents them with and therefore it is a philosophy of inaction and passivity. Therefore, they argue, Stoics don’t do anything to better themselves or their society. This is far from the truth. Historically Stoics were people of action, unafraid and active. While they didn’t act on what was not under their control, they certainly acted on what was under their control. 

Let any difficulty come my way. I have the resources and constitution … to deal with whatever happens. 

Epictetus Discourses Bk 1.6 

We control 

• What we think 
• How we think 
• What we desire 
• What we avoid 
• What we do 
• What we avoid doing 

In short, we are in total control of what comes from us: what we think, desire, and do. If it doesn’t come from us, we don’t control it, even if we are convinced that we do. For example, whether you will win a competition or not is not under your control, even if you think it is. But to train hard to increase your chances of winning is under your control. Whether society will change in a positive way or not is not under your control. But taking appropriate actions that will increase the probability that the society will change is under your control. 

Even so, you realize that winning a competition and changing society to a more positive state are not under your control. So, you accept whatever the outcome is. But training to win and taking actions that will help society are under your control. So, you act. Stoicism teaches us to ignore completely what is not under our control. It also teaches us to concentrate totally on what is under our control. The second part—acting on things under your control—is as important for the good life as the first part—ignoring what is not under your control. 

Life is indifferent. But the way we use it is not indifferent. 

Epictetus Discourses Bk 2.6.1 

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