5 Stoic Books with Practical Exercises
Including a new book on The Power to Change
Most of the posts here at Stoicism for Humans are theoretical or somewhat exploratory, but today’s post will be focused the practical aspects of Stoicism. Specifically, we will look at a few good books with practical exercises that can help you apply Stoic principles in your life. Our main focus will be on a brand new book that I’m excited to tell you about, and then we’ll look at a few oldies but goodies. Many of these are introductory level, but they are also great for experienced Stoics who want to get back to basics and refresh their practice. Or, if you’re in the market for a book to give to family and friends who are curious about Stoicism, one of these might be a good choice. Either way, all these books are worth checking out.
The Power to Change: Stoic Strategies to Transform Your Life
We’ll start with
’s new book (coming out June 3) called The Power to Change: Stoic Strategies to Transform Your Life. Chakrapani is a former business professor, CEO, and veteran philosophical author with many Stoic titles to his name. He’s also the editor of the much-loved online magazine The Stoic Gym (and a Substack which I highly recommend!). In other words, he really knows his stuff when it comes to sharing philosophical ideas in a relatable and relevant way.As the title of this book suggests, it’s oriented toward providing concrete strategies to address the problems we all face: getting anxious or angry, handling difficult relationships, becoming more resilient. But Chakrapani offers a very pragmatic angle on the standard Stoic advice. Here’s how the book is laid out, as he describes it in the Introduction:
Part 1 explores the core Stoic principles and their potential for transformative change.
Part 2 addresses common obstacles that may hinder the implementation of these principles.
Part 3 guides you in designing a life that flows smoothly and harmoniously.
Part 4 provides practical strategies for navigating and overcoming everyday challenges.
Each chapter has a concise lesson, a summarized takeaway from the lesson, and then a simple exercise to concretize the lesson in your life. Everything is laid out clearly and the point is easy to see—no guesswork needed.
One of my favorite chapters in The Power to Change is about “Dropping ‘if only’ thoughts.” This is something I personally find challenging, and I appreciate Chakrapani’s perspective here. Citing the example of a friend who missed a life-changing investment opportunity because of a delayed flight, he reminds us that “although we may think that the ‘if only’ thoughts are harmless, they hold us back in many ways”—by planting your feet firmly in the past, by making you try to control things you can’t control, by trying to live backward, and by thinking you had a choice when you had none:
If you say, “If only I had done that,” the question is “Why didn’t you?” You did what you did because, given the circumstances, that’s the best you could have done. If you could have done otherwise, you would have. When my friend decided to go on the day of the meeting, he did so because (1) he didn’t want to waste his time taking an earlier flight; (2) he could not have known that his plane would be subject to mechanical problems; and (3) he could not have known the investment would be exceptional. Given all this, his only logical choice at that time was to take the flight he did. At any time, we can only act on the information we have, taking our temperament into account…
No matter what we do, we only try to do our best given our knowledge and mental state while acting. We had no choice. We could not have done anything else at that time. Our only choice is to behave differently in the future if we choose to do so.
(pp. 34-35)
All of this is true, of course, and it’s nice to be reminded of it so succinctly. The short and punchy format of each lesson makes the good advice easier to remember while you go about your everyday life.
I also like Chakrapani’s emphasis throughout the book on “a life that flows well”—which is how Zeno phrased our ultimate goal in living. In Part 3, How to Design a Life that Flows Well, we deal with issues like overcoming perfectionism, dealing with change, embracing the messiness of life, and finding contentment and joy. For me the distinction between perfection and impeccability is refreshingly realistic and useful:
Perfection is a finished product. It depends on external evaluation. Your saying something is perfect does not make it so unless others agree. Impeccability is a way of life. It depends on internal evaluation. You can be impeccable without anyone’s agreement:
• If you write a report which you think is perfect and if others think it is not, then it is not perfect. But if you write a report carefully, check your facts and objectives, and check your language and tone to the best of your ability, then you write impeccably…
• If you thought your behaviour was perfect because you spoke with firmness while others thought you were rude, your behaviour was not perfect. But if you first considered how your words might affect others and behaved mindfully, then you spoke impeccably.
We set the standard for our impeccability. We take everything relevant into consideration and act. We are fully concerned with our actions and not about others’ reactions unless it has something to teach us. Perfection is driven by how others evaluate it. It is external. Impeccability is driven by how you evaluate. It is internal. A prokopton does not try to be perfect but impeccable.
(p. 112)
As a recovering perfectionist myself, I find this advice extremely helpful. And I think there is really something for everyone in The Power to Change. Whether you prefer to focus on developing the virtues, or dealing with unhealthy emotions, or cultivating the art of living, you will find pertinent lessons and exercises to help you on your way. Check it out for yourself, and definitely subscribe to The Stoic Gym while you’re at it.
365 Ways to Be More Stoic: A Day-by-Day Guide to Practical Stoicism
If you’re looking for a book of short 2-3 minute Stoic lessons to get your day started, I highly recommend 365 Ways to Be More Stoic. Written by Tim Lebon (a psychotherapist with the NHS in Britain and also Director of Research for Modern Stoicism) and edited by Kasey Pierce (coauthor of The Stoicism Workbook, another great practical resource), this very engaging and relatable book offers a quick dash of Stoicism for each day of the year. The types of lessons vary from real-life stories (including one by yours truly) to CBT-inspired exercises to ancient quotes and insights from Tim’s extensive experience teaching Stoic principles. This book also makes an excellent gift for anyone who doesn’t have time to read in-depth books about Stoicism but who could benefit from Stoic practice.
A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control
This one is pretty much a classic by now, so if you haven’t checked it out this book is definitely worth a look. Written by Massimo Pigliucci and Greg Lopez—both esteemed leaders of the Stoic community in New York and around the world—A Handbook for New Stoics provides one topic a week for a whole year. Designed around the three disciplines of Epictetus, the book is divided into sections on the Discipline of Desire, the Discipline of Action, and the Discipline of Assent. The exercises are well-thought out and the format is appealingly designed, and there is space to write in the book if you purchase a physical copy. It’s no wonder A Handbook for New Stoics is a staple of Stoic practice groups around the world.
Stoicism and The Art of Happiness: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life
Donald Robertson has a wonderful knack for capturing the essence of Stoic concepts in a way that seems like you’ve always known them. Stoicism and the Art of Happiness is actually quite dense with historical and theoretical facts, but it also includes many practical thought experiments and exercises. This is a great overview of Stoicism for those who want a nice blend of theory and practice. Since Robertson is also a psychotherapist, you will also find plenty of helpful psychological techniques that blend modern therapy with ancient Stoic wisdom.
Stoic Serenity: A Practical Course on Finding Inner Peace
As its name suggests, Stoic Serenity takes a rather different approach than the other books included here. Philosopher Keith Seddon moves slowly and coaxes reflection from the reader through a series of guided questions surrounding virtue and each person’s place in the world. I like the unhurried pace, which feels like you’re talking about philosophy while on a walk through the woods with a trusted mentor. If you’re looking for a book that encourages more long-form writing and deep introspection, Stoic Serenity might be right for you.
I hope you find this short list helpful in choosing books to guide your Stoic practice. Feel free to let me know in the comments if you have enjoyed any of these books or if you recommend others.
Photo credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Dr Chuck's book sounds interesting as seems to address very common 'hinrances' as the Buddhists say. The issue of regret is part of the human condition. My approach to is to reflect that every day we are born again to new stooic life similar to the Christian born again. looked at that this way the past stays firmly in the past. I also agree that seeking perfection can be an obstacle to getting anything done. I like the phrase ' we do not seek perfection but momentum'. I agree as well that your book Brittany, should be firmly on this list!
Of course, there's also your book on Stoic Journaling. In addition, Chakrapani also wrote How to be a Stoic When You Don't Know How.