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In this episode, I unpack the powerful lesson behind doing hard things—through the incredible story of Admiral James Stockdale. Shot down over North Vietnam and held as a prisoner of war for seven years, Stockdale survived by practicing what later became known as the Stockdale Paradox: disciplined thinking, neither blind optimism nor crippling pessimism. His survival was shaped by one seemingly small decision—taking a philosophy class years earlier. You never know which hard thing you choose today will shape who you become tomorrow.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Hard things prepare you for the unknown future—before the crisis comes.
• The Stockdale Paradox: face brutal facts while maintaining belief you’ll prevail.
• Stoicism gave Stockdale the mental armor to endure years of captivity and torture.
• We all have “easy buttons,” but choosing difficulty builds resilience and strength.
• Daily practice: ask yourself, “What hard thing will I do today?”

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 Why Doing Hard Things Matters
• 01:35 The Story of Admiral James Stockdale
• 03:15 From Fighter Pilot to Philosophy Student
• 05:00 Shot Down & Captured Over North Vietnam
• 06:30 Surviving Seven Years of Captivity
• 08:00 The Stockdale Paradox Explained
• 09:40 Why Small, Hard Choices Shape Your Future
• 11:00 Daily Practice: Choose Hard Things

Connect with me:
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My site: https://better.biz
Get my book: https://bit.ly/killingcomfort

#stoicism #mentalstrength #stockdaleparadox #dohardthings #tryharder