Stoicism: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life (and Web Development)
Some days everything flows, and other days it feels like the universe is testing your patience. Running a business, navigating challenges, and even dealing with the unpredictability of web development all require a solid mindset. That’s where Stoicism comes in—a philosophy that’s been around for over 2,000 years but is still important today.
I’ve found Stoicism incredibly helpful for getting through the ups and downs of life, business, and everything in between. It’s not about suppressing emotions or being detached—it’s about control, perspective, and resilience. And in a way, it even ties into the way we approach work at GRZZ.
You don’t control the world, but you do control how you respond to it.
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is a philosophy founded in Ancient Greece and popularised by the Romans—think Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. The core idea?
You don’t control the world, but you do control how you respond to it.
At its heart, Stoicism is about focusing on what you can control, accepting what you can’t, and making the best of every situation. Sounds simple, but it’s game-changing when applied properly.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People touches on this, Stephen Convey calls it “response-able” able to take a moment to respond to something rather than react. It’s easier said than done and it does take practice. It was something I was terrible at in my younger years.
Key Stoic Principles (And Why They Matter)
1. Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t
One of the biggest lessons from Stoicism: don’t waste energy on things outside your control. That includes other people’s opinions, the economy, or whether a client suddenly changes their mind about a project scope.
In web development, clients might have unrealistic deadlines, platforms update unexpectedly, and sometimes things break. Instead of getting frustrated, the Stoic mindset says: “What can I do about it?”
2. Perception is Everything
The Stoics believed that events themselves aren’t inherently good or bad—it’s how we interpret them. If a website crashes on launch day, one person might see it as a disaster, while another sees an opportunity to improve their processes.
Same event, different reaction. The mindset we bring to challenges shapes our experience.
3. Memento Mori – Remember, You Will Die
Sounds morbid, but it’s actually freeing. It’s a reminder that time is limited, so don’t waste it stressing over things that won’t matter in the long run. Whether it’s a tough project, a difficult client, or a rough week—zoom out. Will this still bother you in a year? If not, let it go.
4. Discipline Equals Freedom
Jocko Willink says this all the time, but the Stoics had it first. The idea is simple: if you put in the work and maintain discipline, you gain freedom. Whether it’s in web development (consistent coding and maintenance prevent disasters) or in life (consistent effort leads to long-term success), the principle applies everywhere.
How Stoicism Has Helped Me
Stoicism isn’t just theory—it’s been a lifeline for me during tough times. Whether it’s navigating business setbacks, personal struggles, or just the everyday chaos of life, these principles help keep things in perspective.
Less Stress: When I focus only on what I can control, stress drops dramatically.
Better Decision-Making: Reacting emotionally can lead to bad choices; stepping back and applying logic leads to better outcomes.
More Resilience: Things go wrong. A lot. But every setback is a chance to learn and improve.
The Relevance to Web Development (And Business)
At GRZZ, we take a Stoic approach to work:
We don’t panic over things outside our control—like an unexpected API update breaking a site.
We focus on solutions, not complaints.
We embrace discipline, ensuring quality work and structured processes.
We stay adaptable, knowing that the digital world (like life) is always changing.
Final Thoughts: Stoicism is for Everyone
You don’t have to be a philosopher to get something out of Stoicism. It’s not about ignoring emotions or being robotic—it’s about clarity, resilience, and focusing on what matters.
In life, in business, and in web development, the Stoic mindset helps you stay level-headed, make better decisions, and keep moving forward—no matter what life throws your way.
