Stoic

The natural expression of Stoic is one where we act unconcerned and indifferent to life challenges. Stoic focuses us on staying present in the moment by accepting what is happening in the moment, in order to minimize the difficulties of our past. We learn to embrace difficulties eagerly so that we have something to focus on. Our unrelenting desire to master our environment appears to others as an unwillingness to change, when in fact, there is a desire to change in small ways that serve us. While we can appear stern and aloof, and are hard to impress, we enjoy our quiet assurance and confidence because most of what we do is a reflection of where we’ve been. Our resilience focuses on personal objectives, not ideological objectives.

The Stoic Attitude reveals an attachment to the distant past as a way of interpreting the present. This means that we are always seeing situations in terms of the obstacles of the past, expecting everything to be tough and difficult. We believe that we can handle whatever happens. Our goal is to not make a big deal about anything. We are easily identified by our tranquility, indifference and sense of resignation to what will be. This is the enduring approach to life that says “Whatever happens, I can handle it.” As an ordinal inspiration attitude, it is reserved and limits expression (even emotions) to what is necessary. It is difficult in a romantic relationship. Stoics are able to endure difficult situations without making a big deal about it.

People that are Stoic say, “Whatever happens, I can handle it.” They are withdrawn, reserved and tend to limit their expression to what is absolutely necessary. They pride themselves on being able to endure difficult situations without making a big deal about it. They see the bigger picture, but focus in a determined way to deal with what is at hand. This means that their mental process, while passive, is also strong and inflexible when it comes to change, because they know what has worked in the past. They are personally resourceful and develop mentally by being able to connect their internal capabilities. This is why we call this type of thinking, Intra-personal. They enjoy their own time with themselves. They are typically tranquil, able to handle anything, and willing to make the best of a situation. They focus on what is right to the exclusion of what is wrong.

Their timeframe orientation is in the past and they are unwilling to deal with the present or future. Both their mental attachment to the way things are and their fixation on a narrow band of thought activity lead others to the realization that there is no way to convince them of what is new or different in a situation. It is for this reason that they get the reputation of being a curmudgeon that holds onto proven patterns of thinking. The beauty of this type of thinking is its utter simplicity, which makes it predicable to others. They love particular activities, themes, and ritualistic ways of thinking that reinforce their symbolic connections with others, but they don’t enjoy being with others for long periods of time, because it likely requires that they be more adaptive to others. They have more mental ardor and hidden emotional connections that make them appear to be devoted to others. Their primary fear is to have to submit to circumstances and grow.

They can be very quick thinkers due to their repetitive frameworks in which most things have been examined previously. Occasionally, they will demonstrate excitement or enthusiasm by involvement in some activity that makes them feel confident and capable that they can contribute to others. Stoics complete what they begin. It is their lack of ability to protect themselves on some levels that makes them so rigid and unbending with others. They are impressionable yet act like no one will ever make an impression on them. Less then 5% of the worldwide population has an Attitude of Stoic, although in the previous generation – at least in many technological centers – Stoics were found in greater abundance, so many more people have Stoic imprinting.

Identifying: Stoics can be recognized by their eagerness to embrace difficulties, their unwillingness to change and their invulnerability to be impressed. Usually they have little facial movement and a secretly clenched jaw. They have great difficulty changing with the times.

Primary Focus—This attitude is about seeing the bigger picture, while being able to focus on what is at hand. It enables one to close down the emotions in favor of action. Withhold expression.
Responsive Characteristics—Tranquil, capable, able to handle anything, willing to make the best of things, stable.
Primary Fear—That we have to submit ourselves to the circumstances.
Reactive Characteristics— Resignation, slogging along, not willing or able to express ourselves, despair, exhausted, overly quiet, not willing to confront situations.
Percent of the population operating from this Attitude: 5%.
How to recognize a person with this attitude: Stern, aloof, can’t tell what they are thinking. Little facial movement, hidden, clenched jaw.
Examples: Johnny Carson, Winston Churchill, Willie Nelson, John Wayne, Patricia Nixon, Gary Cooper, George Wallace