I

May 28th

THE FIRST TWO THINGS BEFORE ACTING

“The first thing to do—don’t get worked up. For everything

happens according to the nature of all things, and in a short time

you’ll be nobody and nowhere, even as the great emperors

Hadrian and Augustus are now. The next thing to do—consider

carefully the task at hand for what it is, while remembering that

your purpose is to be a good human being. Get straight to doing

what nature requires of you, and speak as you see most just and

fitting—with kindness, modesty, and sincerity.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.5

magine, for a second, what Marcus’s life as an emperor must have been
like. He would preside over the Senate. He would lead the troops in
battle, direct the grand strategy of the army as its highest commander. He
would also hear appeals—from citizens, from lawyers, from foreign
governments. In other words, like most people in power, he was called on to
make decisions: all day, every day, decision after decision.
His formula for decision making is a battle-tested method for doing and
acting right—literally. Which is why we ought to try to use it ourselves.
First, don’t get upset—because that will color your decision negatively
and make it harder than it needs to be.
Second, remember the purpose and principles you value most. Running
potential actions through this filter will eliminate the bad choices and
highlight the right ones.
Don’t get upset.
Do the right thing.
That’s it.