Stoic at Work

A sharply observed workplace survival guide that spins 49 entertaining modern rules from the wisdom of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Marcus Aurelius's timeless insights into human behaviour show that 2000 years on, not much has changed in the workplace and we could all do well if we focus on what we can control and worry less about things we can't.

As head of the Roman empire, he encountered his fair share of difficult people, frustrating situations and political infighting. In his Stoic philosophy bible, Meditations, Marcus Aurelius encouraged us to accept other people's inevitable shortcomings, make the most of our short life, resist the temptations of fame and flattery and, when things get too much, take a cosmic perspective of our existence.

Stoic at Work is for anyone with a job, applying ancient wisdom to the modern workplace set out in 49 rules, such as: think less; suck up but don't suck up; avoid irrelevant meetings; and remind yourself that work happiness sits somewhere on the spectrum between fear and boredom. These will help you manage the mind games, the meltdowns and the numbing reality that most of us must work until we die, transforming your experience of work from a place of irritation to a place of joy. Or one that is a bit more tolerable, at least.

About the Author

Annie Lawson is a former journalist who has had a diverse career, from wrangling a clown on roller skates on a live television show and interviewing Kiss legend Gene Simmons to writing about China, technology and climate change for corporations and advocacy groups. Even though the work differed, Annie found some common threads, whether it be people who are annoying, meetings that are pointless and language that makes no sense. She consulted friends who worked in travel, health, resources, technology, emergency services, retail and financial services for inspiration and combined their advice with the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.