A Quiet Sunday with Marcus Aurelius: Preparing for Tomorrow

It’s a sunny November afternoon. I’m sitting on the balcony, enjoying the warmth and getting some Vitamin D before winter comes. The sea is calm in the distance. Everything feels peaceful—except my thoughts. Tomorrow will be busy: hard meetings, big decisions, and important conversations.

On my lap is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Two lines make me stop and think:

“If something outside upsets you, it’s not the thing itself—it’s your opinion about it. You can change that opinion anytime.”

“If an obstacle stops you from doing the right thing, don’t blame yourself. Accept it and move forward calmly.”

These words feel powerful. In business, many things are outside our control—markets change, rules shift, projects delay. But Aurelius reminds us: the problem is not the event, it’s how we see it. We can choose a better way to think.

Three Simple Lessons for Work

1. Change the Story in Your Head
   Tomorrow’s meeting is not “stressful.” It’s an opportunity to solve problems. Think that way, and you feel stronger.

2. Control What You Can
   If something blocks your plan, don’t waste energy on anger. Ask: What can I still do? There is always something.

3. Accept What You Cannot Change
   Some barriers are immovable. Instead of resisting, redirect. Use your energy for what matters.

As the sun goes down, I close the book and smile. Stoic wisdom is not just old philosophy—it’s a tool for modern life. Tomorrow will be tough, but today I feel ready.

So, let's save some photos from the rest of the Sunday.

My Growth Resolution 2025: Strategic Prioritization and Time Management

In the last week of January 2025, my family and I visited a relative in the evening. This was a planned visit, and due to my busy agenda, I couldn't postpone it. It had been a long while since I last saw this relative. Throughout the day, I had operational responsibilities and meetings, leaving me with unanswered emails. I had to take my laptop with me to the evening visit. After the initial conversations, I informed my family about the duties I needed to complete and started reading and replying to my emails while my wife and son enjoyed the visit. By the end of the night, I had read all my unread emails and cleared my to-dos. However, on our way back home, my son said, "Father, you are working so hard nowadays and now you even started to work when we are out." This comment hit me like a wall.

On the evening of January 31st, I read the PMI Global Business Solutions newsletter and the New Year's growth resolutions of our leaders. Inspired by my son's feedback, I decided to define my New Year's resolution for 2025. My focus this year will be on strategic prioritization and time management. Regularly, I will ask myself two questions: 1) What am I doing well? 2) What can I do better? These questions will guide a positive and constructive review of how I am managing my development area in 2025.

CoPilot will be my key enabler in this development journey, providing assistance and insights. Sharing my personal evaluation with CoPilot will help me become a better version of myself. Let's rock 2025!