Business is more than about making money. It’s more than being a manager (whether it’s office manager or home manager), trying to fill the day’s quota and save money. The Greeks, yup, had energy, too. Physical and mental energy. Maybe more than what he had!
The ancient Greeks, believe it or not, knew a whole lot about life and business.
They invented democracy, the Olympics, the jury, and more.
Clearly, they knew something about business and life that we still don’t. What are those?
Disagree (When Necessary)
When Socrates roamed Greece, God was “the law.” Religion was just as important as money. If not more so.
You can imagine what happened when he believed that people who served the Government should be of the highest intellect; suggesting that the gods weren’t omnipotent.
Why? Because he was a free-thinker. He believed in his intentions, and followed them. Thus metaphorically flipping the courts and churches the bird.
Who here, on Earth today, has the nerve to disagree so vehemently with popular opinion? Would you be willing to drink a cup of poison hemlock for your beliefs? Socrates did – he was found guilty for corrupting the youth, and sentenced to death.
Before drinking, Socrates was given a choice of punishment – death or exile. Socrates wanted to be honoured, by Athens, for his contribution to their growth; he also wanted to be paid for his services.
Sounds like a lawyer.
Figure Out Who You Are
Sounds like hokum, doesn’t it? Let me ask you this: how are you going to get where you want to be, if you don’t know how to get there?
How do you find out where to find the roadmap to get you there?
The key to knowing who you are? Looking at what you do unconsciously and passionately. I’m a writer because it’s my obsession – I could (and have) write all day. It’s in me.
Really take a look at what you do, day in and day out, that’s constant and makes you fulfilled – just like writing fulfills me.
Now, I’m writing articles and short stories to send to magazine contests. That’s my roadmap.
Stop Talking, Start Doing
“A big part of success is just not being lazy and doing it.” – Joe Rogan
Greek philosophers didn’t just talk with each other about their values and ideas – they wrote books, they taught their lessons to students, they presented their discoveries to courts and leaders of their day.
They didn’t just talk, they took action to share their thoughts and influence us.
Don’t just sit in board meetings talking about what you need to do – be a Greek philosopher and put material out there. Get it done.
The Greeks weren’t sitting around, watching clouds go by. They were archetypal managers working and building strong homes for a sustainable living. However, today’s architects, property managers, civil engineers aren’t far behind in building energy efficient homes & workspaces and saving little money but Greeks without any technology and solely relying on their own research (maybe, maybe, using hit & trial method) were able to do so much that other couldn’t.
I honestly believe that they weren’t procrastinators like me. I most of the time never actually do something (the thing I do is – nothing) but when I do, I just do it the wrong way. :)
Change
“If what you’ve been doing for the past five years hasn’t worked, change. Or the next five years will be a rerun of the same old bullsh**.” – John Carlton
Greek philosophers are remembered by history because they questioned their times – presenting different options, opinions, and ideas that directly bucked the status quo. Rewrite the status quo.
And more importantly, make the change. When you’re doing a load of laundry and you hear the clothes in the washing machine tumble around creating a ruckus, do you just sit there and let it happen? No, you crack it open and rearrange the clothes so the cycle doesn’t sound like an ogre dancing.
They Adapted To Change
Like the washing machine I mentioned earlier, readjust according to the situation – without being afraid to be creative and venture outside the path of normalcy. Average people love this path. Unfortunately, as [x] points out, “Success is allergic to average.”
Let this stew in your mind: the richest CEOs and founders of innovative companies are far from average. Sir Richard Branson is an exemplary human when it comes to making money in innovative ways. He consciously puts forth a plan to “fix” whatever world problem he feels like tackling. This is adapting at its best.
The Art Of Happiness
People hated Epicurus. How couldn’t they? The Greek philosopher touted simply living happy, as happy as can be, before we all die and turn into dust, dissolved back into the cosmos.
He argued that humanity was a master at creating reasons to be (and stay) miserable. Nobody likes being challenged – especially when their lives are on the line. He was a man for not giving into immediate pleasures and instant gratification.
All of this is still an issue to this day, isn’t it.
Who knew that reaching tranquility by living modestly, limiting human desires, and learn the inner knowledge about how the world works… would have its own ism: you can see how Epicureanism isn’t such a bad idea. .
The CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh, sold his company to Amazon on the agreement/premise that Amazon, will carry the torch of creating a unique (and happy!) culture. Bravo, Mr. Hsieh. Bravo.
They Created Their Situations
Most people are reactors, rather than creators. We respond to trials and tribulation that arise from our (often thoughtless) actions, instead of making actions that take us where we want to be.
That’s why gradually turning life’s obstacles seems like a five hundred pound gorilla: unstoppable, unmovable, and unstoppable. In short, a mess.
But why! Could it have something to do with waking up and looking for things that are wrong, right off the bat? Think of a fire – is it your job to put it out? No, your job is to do what you must. Let other people handle the fire – it’s what they’re trained to do.
The easiest way to do this is set a routine for yourself. First thing in the early morning, right off the bat. One of the keys to success is consistency through continual practice.
When you routinely practice something, you become more efficient. This efficiency helps us become happy that the task is being done. Being happy with this, your quality heightens and your output greatens.
Control your day by starting it right.
They Challenged Themselves
When we build the world into a safe place and become complacent, any tiny iota of trouble that comes knocking just shatters our perfect, drama-free world.
But, from this massacre of peace comes a silver lining: the opportunity to see the world (or our life’s mission or duties necessary to fulfill that mission) anew. Fresh eyes. This “rebirth” is a sign of growth; being privy to ways you never knew about before? Are you kidding me! Tell me that isn’t the way innovation has its hand in creating masterpieces for posterity.
Stretch yourself and what you think you’re capable of. Forget comfort – you can be comfortable as you’re falling asleep in your “just for you” bed.
When you perform the same tasks, the same way, at the same time, each and every day… There’s no room for growth or enlightenment.
The Greeks were all about enlightenment.
Last Words
If you’re able to be unconsciously competent (or, going about things in an awesome way without knowing how you’re doing it), being effective in all walks of life is much easier.
To put it in perspective, a scientific study [find out who] showed that optimistic salespeople outsold the pessimist salespeople by 50%.
Quick solution? Smile. The Greeks knew this – how else do you explain all those wine parties? Be merry and dandy! There’s no law against smiling. Even if you don’t feel like it, your productivity will feel like an adrenaline shot.
Read more: Ancient ‘Magical’ Amulet Discovered With Curious Inscription