Chapter 68
The Art of Strategic Withdrawal
1.I fall in with your plan; retire and conceal yourself in repose. But at the same time conceal your retirement also. In doing this, you may be sure that you will be following the example of the Stoics, if not their precept. But you will be acting according to their precept also; you will thus satisfy both yourself and any Stoic you please. 2. We Stoics[1] do not urge men to take up public life in every case, or at all times, or without any qualification. Besides, when we have assigned to our wise man that field of public…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Cover Story
Think of a change you want to make in your life - career shift, health improvement, relationship work, or personal growth. Write down three different 'cover stories' you could use to protect this change from interference while it's fragile. Practice explaining your absence or new habits without revealing your real transformation work.
Consider:
- •Your cover story should be boring enough that people lose interest quickly
- •Choose explanations that don't invite advice or opinions from others
- •Consider what you'll say when people notice you're different but can't pinpoint how
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when announcing a goal or change too early actually hurt your progress. What happened when other people got involved? How might things have gone differently if you'd kept it private longer?
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