Today, let’s dive into a timeless Stoic principle: "𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥."
Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy, teaches that the practice of virtue is enough to achieve 𝐞𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚 (a flourishing life). Among its many teachings, this principle stands out as a powerful tool for navigating life’s challenges.

🌟 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥:
As software engineers, here’s what we have the power to influence:
🔧 Your Skills: Dedicate time daily to improve and refine your craft.
🏋️‍♂️ Your Health: Invest in physical workouts, meditation, or spiritual learning to maintain balance.
😊 Your Attitude: Foster kindness and respect in your relationships—both personal and professional.

🌟 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥:
However, some things remain beyond our grasp:
👀 Others' Perception of You: Self-esteem should not hinge on others’ opinions.
🎯 Outcomes of Your Actions: Hard work doesn’t always guarantee the desired results.
📈 Career Success: While effort and preparation increase your chances, success is never fully guaranteed.

🌟 𝐀 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
Back in February 2024, my main system crashed due to hardware failure, leaving me without a laptop for 6 months. As a developer, this felt like a nightmare—I couldn’t code, couldn’t practice, couldn’t do what I loved most.

But instead of dwelling on what I couldn’t control (no laptop, no coding), I chose to 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥.
- I strengthened my theoretical foundations in tech.
- I explored new areas like neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy.

By August 2024, I’d saved enough to buy a MacBook Air M3. But those 6 months turned out to be a blessing in disguise—I came back stronger, with broader knowledge and a fresh perspective.

🌟 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲
Life will always throw challenges at us. What matters is how we respond:
- Focus your energy on what you can control.
- Accept what you can’t.
- This mindset doesn’t just help us as developers but as human beings striving for balance and growth.

What’s one thing you’ll focus on today that’s within your control? Let me know in the comments! 👇