Become a Roman
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
What disgusted the ancient Romans about barbarians was their lack of discipline. Oxford Professor Peter Heather writes, “As far as a Roman was concerned, you could easily tell a barbarian by how he reacted to fortune. Give him one little stroke of luck, and he would think he had conquered the world. But, equally, the slightest setback would find him in deepest despair” This is exactly why thousands of miles from home, several hundred Romans could slaughter several thousand barbarians.
To survive the ups and downs of life you have to become a Roman. Some of the most talented people I know typically self-destruct every couple years. When things are not brand new or fun anymore many people seem to derail themselves. In some cases, like clockwork. Perhaps the closer some get to achieving goals, the less glamorous reality seems. Something happens! Some type of major setback. A setback that they never fully recover from. Then they are off doing something new.
Does this sound familiar? Do you see this pattern in business or your personal life? Are you having a hard time transitioning from a barbarian to a Roman?
Why do we self sabotage ourselves? Is it fear of failure or success?
I’d like to understand this human dynamic better.
Please let me know why you think so many people never make that transition from barbarian to Roman mentality.
I’ll leave you with quote from a great Roman that may help explain it.
“Our life is what our thoughts make it.” – Marcus Aurelius
Make these words of wisdom a theme for 2009.
Happy New Year!
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