Stoicism Explained : The Dichotomy Of Control - Stoic Mindset

The Dichotomy of Control

Perhaps one of the most useful concepts in Stoicism is the ‘Dichotomy of Control’. This basically guides us into exerting our energy and focus on things which we actually have control over. To use this we must first learn to determine the things in which don’t have control over.
In the opening lines of Epictetus’s handbook the Enchiridion, the stoic says:

“Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our actions.”

Epictetus is basically reminding us about where we should focus our energy, a lesson I wish I had learned earlier in life.

STORY TIME:

A couple years ago I was sitting a number of exams for university. Often, we would receive our exams marks after the mid semester break. This meant that I would have to wait a couple of weeks before seeing my mark. During these weeks I was never capable of enjoying my break because my mind was always fixated on my exam results.

If I had known about Stoicism and the dichotomy of control way back then, I would not have had the anxieties. I would have been able to recognize that once I finished my exams, my control over the exam was over. No amount of worrying would affect the results so why engage in it?

Epictetus explains this with the quote:

“Of existing things, God has placed some within our power, and others not within our power. Within our power, he has placed the most important thing, that through which he himself is happy, the power to deal with impressions.”

We have the power to choose our responses to events, and this is the true key to living life with an untroubled mind.

We have all experienced trying to arrive at a destination fast only to be stopped by a series of red traffic lights. Many of us under these conditions begin to lose our patience and become angry. A stoic will understand that the red lights are not within our power and hence shouldn’t warrant any energy.
The Stoic might the note to leave the house earlier next time to avoid being late (something within their power).

This concept trickles into every area of life and can be applied to most things. Goal setting can be enhanced greatly by this dichotomy of control. We simply put our focus onto things that we can influence and we do not become troubled by those which we can’t. If you wish to win a game of basketball, you put your attention and focus on playing the best game you can possibly play. Playing to the best of your abilities is within your control and improves your chances of winning; winning, on the other hand, is not completely in your control, anything can happen on the court.

Another popular example to explain this concept has to do with someone shooting a bow. Imagine an archer who is trying to hit a target, despite how ever many years of skill this archer might have. As soon as they release the arrow a gust of wind could through them off the mark. The best we can do is focus on shooting the arrow to the best of abilities. We should not be troubled when the winds of life through our arrows of course.

So when you find yourself troubled by something always question if the thing troubling you is within your control. This is practical stoicism at its best, this is how you live the good life.

If you enjoy Stoicism make sure to check out my Stoic playlist!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sy3cooZnOE&pp=ygUIc3RvaWNpc20%3D