The Stoic Mindset by Mark Tuitert

The Stoic Mindset by Mark Tuitert 

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin Press, St. Martin Essential, and Mark Tuitert for providing an advanced reader’s copy of this book. 

This review expresses my own personal opinion. I have not been asked to post it by the author, the publishing companies or anyone connected with the book or author.

The main focus of this book, by its title, is Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that originated around 300 B.C. in Greece and migrated to Rome. At its core, which the author seeks to get to, is how can one live well? What are the practical utilities that we can apply to our everyday life? Life as the Stoics saw and lived it, is full of challenges, adversity, sadness, death, opportunities, etc. These happenings of life, the Stoics knew we have no control over, and if that was the case, how could one face the ups and downs of life in a way that would lead to a calmer mindset, to be clear about one’s position in the Universe? Tuitert wants to share with us some of the answers he found and how he applies the learnings to his own personal life.

Mark Tuitert is a former Dutch speed skater who won the gold medal at the 150m at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Prior to reaching this goal, Tuitert shares with us his journey to discovering stoicism, the ups and plenty of downs along the way. Since his Olympic win, Tuitert went on to dig deeper into the stoic philosophy writing this book, starting businesses, lecturing, following his entrepreneurial dreams. Imbedded in all his endeavors is his ten principles that the author says can help us live a more stoic life, a life lived with practical utility, one that is lived well. To do this we must, as the stoics believed, be more thoughtful, more deliberate, must learn to think more clearly, to control our emotions, that as Marcus Aurelius, the stoic Roman emperor, said, be in control of our reasoned choices.

The ten principles are:

1. Use Setbacks As Signpost

2. Judge Less, Understand More

3. Win By Not Focusing on Winning 

4. What’s Good For The Team Is Good For You

5. Accept Your Fate (And Love It)

6. Death Makes Life Epic

7. Happiness Is A Side Effect

8. A Map is Good, A Compass is Better

9. Character Is Your Most Important Project

10. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

With each principle, he gives personal examples, homework exercises, and colorful graphics. I wish he would have elaborated more on the assignments and provided a little more depth to application of the principle, this would have been more helpful to those new to stoicism. 

In sum, this is no Rah! Rah! book, with fluff and philosophy. It is a practical walk with someone who is sharing his own learnings and growth by trying to live a more stoic life. Tuitert gets it. He understands that life is constantly living and he believes that by applying the teachings of stoicism, one can make life what you want it, that your journey through life can be easier and more rewarding if you apply the teachings of Cato, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and others.   

The writing is well done, easy to read and understand. He distills the 10 principles so that if you are new to stoicism, you will not be scared off or overwhelmed, and if you have been a traveler of stoicism for some time, you will find some helpful nuggets to use in your journey. 

I rate this book 4 stars for Tuitert delivers on the goal to share his personal life’s journey in stoicism and how you too can benefit from this timeless philosophy.