I’ve been writing this newsletter now since 2015 and if you’ve followed me all that time, first I’d like to thank you. Secondly, you know I’m a stoical sort of guy. If you look up the dictionary definition of the word ‘stoical’ you’ll get something along the lines of ‘enduring pain and hardship without showing one’s feelings or emotions’.
Whilst this is true of me to a degree, it’s not what Stoicism really is about. Stoicism is really a ‘’philosophy’’ but not of the intellectual sort. It has an everyday day a practical application too.
You see the oldest Stoics were real men with real lives.
Marcus Aurelius was Emperor of Rome. Cato the Younger was a senator and military commander. These were men deeply involved in politics and war and if we study their lives and their actions we will find ‘’an operating system’’, that will guide us to lead better lives.
One of the tenets of Stoicism is the idea that you are capable of more than you know. All too often we are quick to talk ourselves out of doing something.
We tell ourselves stories about what we can’t accomplish, purely based on our negative thoughts and that little voice inside our head.
But we should always be aware that what we can achieve is within our control, and the possibilities are limitless.
When I quit my day job in 2004 is was so unhappy with my career that I knew I had to set up The Claims Desk. I didn’t even have one single client.
I had two young children, a mortgage and an idea.
To help property owners with their insurance claim following fire, theft, and flood.
I cannot tell you how stressful it was to leave a well-paid corporate job to set up my own business. But I had this vision what I wanted to do, and I have the love and support of my family. 15 years later, I’m still here, and the day I quit my old job was probably the most liberating day of my life at that time.
Had I not done that, listened to that voice of doom at that back of my mind, I would be another victim of what is sometimes called the ‘imposter syndrome’. Thinking you are not good enough, capable enough, strong enough. On and on.
April May 2017 was another key turning point in my life.
I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks following two back operations. I had to lay flat and motionless most of the time, and the only way I could entertain myself was by listening to audiobooks, the radio, and podcasts. I didn’t even know what a podcast was back then.
Fast forward two years, and I now have my very own podcast, Your London Legacy, where I meet up with an interview Londoners living the most fascinating, extraordinary and inspirational lives.
Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome?
To be honest I’m in awe of most of the guests on the show, because, in many cases, they too have had to overcome negative thoughts, life-changing events or the ‘imposter syndrome’, to achieve their dreams. I never thought I could create a worthwhile podcast, but by seeking out the best mentors, surrounding myself with people who supported me in my quest and by taking action, it became a reality, and I’m loving it.
When you need help with your property insurance claim, you know I’ll be here for you.
When you want to hear real-life inspirational stories, I’m here for you too. All you need to do is go to www.yourlondonlegacy.com or search for Your London Legacy on your favorite podcast platform. I’d love to see what you think and if you have any suggestions for guests that would be perfect.
So, what is it that you’ve always wanted to do?
Change your job? Write a book? Travel the world? Run a marathon? Create a podcast? Whatever it is, think and act like the great Stoics ‘’for anything possible and proper for another person can be achieved as easily by you’’ Marcus Aurelius.
Until next month.
Best wishes
