Plan Your Day Like Marcus Aurelius

2,000 years ago, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote his personal thoughts in a journal titled "To Himself".

He never wanted it to go public or thought people like you and me would get a chance to read it one day.

He didn't care—actually.

But we do care. Because, in those pages, we can see how a real Marcus Aurelius (not the one you saw on Gladiator) navigated his day.

In my opinion, these are 6 important habits to kick off every day.

1. Wake Up Early and Start Rolling:

At dawn, Marcus urges us to recognize our purpose and face the day's tasks as human beings born for a reason. "Were you made to huddle under the blankets and stay warm?" No. To go against this, is to go against nature itself--a crime for a Stoic.

2. Journal The Stoic Way:

His whole journal is a testament to this.

I once read in the book How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donal Robertson that the Stoics journal three times a day:

First, in the morning, to set their priorities and minds right for what lies ahead.

Then, in the middle of the day, track their progress so far and remind themselves of what their task is.

And finally, at night, to pass the day thought test, and see how well they performed.

3. Prepare for the Day Ahead:

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly.” — Marcus Aurelius

Don't worry whether things today will be hard—because they will be. Instead of wishing for things to be easier, wish for the courage to meet the inevitable difficulties. But acting with courage is under your control. So, wish for nothing. You already have what you need.

4. Eat The Frog First:

“Concentrate on the task in front of you like a Roman." — Marcus Aurelius

It’s likely that Marcus will tackle his most difficult tasks first. He didn’t believe in procrastination or putting things off. If we can win that battle first, the rest of the day will be a breeze.  It's no coincidence that most successful people share the concept "Eat the frog first," when they begin their packed days,

5. Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude:

Marcus Aurelius had a lot to worry about. Wars, floods, his wife’s cheating, the deaths of 7 or 8 of his children, political turmoil, and a serious pandemic all rested on his shoulders. So how did Marcus relax? He enjoyed boxing, wrestling, hunting, and horseback riding. It’s also evident in Marcus’ journal that reading was a huge part of his life.

Whether it’s making time to be active or going for a long walk through the woods every morning, we have to make time for stillness. To slow down. To appreciate what we have.

6. No One Is Lucky Enough To Assume They Have Another Day Promised:

"You could live life right now. Let that determine what you do, say, and think." — Marcus Aurelius

As he kissed his children and said goodnight to them, he would think to himself, "Don’t rush this, this might be the last time you do this. It’s not a guarantee that either of you will make it through the night."

Meditating on your mortality is a must. It is a tool to create priority and meaning. It’s a tool that generations have used to create real perspective and urgency. In contemplating death, we define our purpose

PS. Personally, when I wake up each day, I jump out of bed and realize it's a Bonus Day. I know there's no time to waste. None.