EP11 - Being clueless about things that don't matter

Stoic leadership

My Diary

In colloquial language, to be clueless is to be ignorant, stupid, and have no idea about things. In colloquial language, to be clueless is to be ignorant, stupid, and have no idea about things.

To be clueless about things that don't matter is to be stoic. It means I shouldn’t engage in topics that don't matter and our outside of my control.

But ignorance is not an ill.

Being content is not the same as being happy.

To be content is to be at peace, and tranquility.

So being clueless about things that don't matter leads to tranquility because I’ll be less worried and distracted by frivolities and uncontrollable events.

But this comes at a price.

My ever-increasing Stoicism has led to indifference and it's seen as arrogance.

I can't help that. I am increasingly disconnected from trivia and gossip, but more engaged with the intellectual and conversations that matter to me.

So although I am calm on the inside, I appear to be disconnected at one extreme and then very connected at the other. To others it seems like I am living in extremes. But this is not the case. I'm actually only living in one part of the spectrum, that of connection.

In my own mind I completely disconnect with conversations that don't matter. Sure I smile and nod but my silence is palpable. To me I am just chilling out and waiting for the conversation to end. To others I may appear rude.

This is also happening at home. When the talk turns to gossip I am disconnected. Just the other night I had a conversation with my son and his girlfriend about the newest philosophies in teaching. The booking question is called Range, by David Epstein.

It's one of those books that makes you challenge what you otherwise believed to be true. These are the things that engage me, and talking about these thoughts help me become a better person, with more tools to lead a rational conscious life. I must thank Ryan Holliday for the tip.

Some people in the conversation switched off and even left the table. I think I was just too much for them. Now the challenge is to find environments where I can let my thoughts freewheel and go further.

I’m reminded by what Epictetus said.

“Let silence be your goal for the most part; say only what is necessary, and be brief about it. On the rare occasions when you’re called upon to speak, then speak, but never about banalities like gladiators, horses, sports, food and drink—common-place stuff. Above all don’t gossip about people, praising, blaming or comparing them.” – Epictetus

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