By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN
Nurse leaders often ask me whether things can get any worse than they already are. When you think you have turned a corner, another obstacle to a more positive path forward seems to arise.
I recently began re-reading Ryan Holiday’s highly acclaimed book; The Obstacle is the Way. Holiday points out in his work that the greatest achievements in the history of humanity often came from what seemed like impossible situations. Stoics and other great philosophers have believed that obstacles should lead us to question – what does this situation make possible that might not have been possible before?
Stoicism is a Hellenistic school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. Most famous practitioners of this philosophy include Epictetus, Seneca, and the great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who published meditations on the topic. Although it is an old philosophy, Stoicism is regaining popularity because it is relevant to today’s life. The goal of Stoicism is to attain inner peace by overcoming adversity, practicing self-control, being conscious of our impulses, realizing our lives are, in fact concise, and we have a choice in how we respond to adversity. Holiday reminds us that when faced with serious challenges like the COVID pandemic, we have to work hard to do the following:
- Stay in the present and be as objective as possible about what we are facing. Staying present will reduce our stress.
- Control our emotions and responses to the challenge in front of us. Stoics firmly believe that it is not what happens that matters but how we react to it.
- Choose to always to see the good in situations. Be grateful – for it is the key to happiness.
- Keep things in perspective. Ask yourself what the worst thing that could happen is and start from there.
- Focus on the things that you do have control over, including your emotions, judgments, attitude, perspectives, actions, and words.
- Recognize that adversity is part of life. Someday, you will tell your children or grandchildren about the pandemic – your stories will seem unbelievable to them.
- Learn what you can in this situation about yourself and others.
The stoic philosophy is a series of ideas and tips for living our best life, overcoming our challenges, and ultimately achieving happiness on our life’s journey. I was struck in an interview in our April edition of Nurse Leader when CNO Kit Bredimus talked about how revisiting the philosophy of the stoics helped to quiet his mind during difficult times.
As I look toward the future of nursing, it is becoming clearer that we are at a point of no return to the past. This crisis presents challenges but also some unique opportunities to reshape a very different future for the profession. The obstacle may, in fact, become the way forward.
Read to Lead
Holiday, R. (2014). The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials in Triumphs. New York: Portfolio Books.
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