Part 12/14:
Act as if Failure Isn't an Option: Avoid the Trap of Regret
Finally, the Stoics instruct us to adopt a mindset where quitting and giving up are non-negotiable no matter the setbacks. Seneca’s words—“It is not that we are given a short life, but that we make it short by wasting it”—highlight that commitment and full effort lengthen and deepen our experience.
Treat your vital goals as life-or-death missions:
Eliminate options of retreat or withdrawal.
Commit fully to your purpose.
Use obstacles as fuel for growth.
Reframe setbacks as lessons, not failures.
This mindset fosters resilience; failures are temporary and teach adaptability, while regret is permanent and soul-crushing. The only true failure is abandoning your mission.