Mastering Life's Interview: Embracing Control While Letting Go
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Chapter 1: The Interview Experience
Yesterday marked my first job interview in nearly seven years. As a freelancer in the sports entertainment sector, I often need to go through interviews to secure temporary roles with various companies. This process is beneficial because, through hard work and networking, I can choose which projects to take on and turn down those that don't resonate with me.
To my surprise, this interview felt distinctively different. I arrived fully prepared, having researched extensively and truly believing in the value I can bring to any potential employer. Importantly, I realized I didn’t desperately need this job.
When you concentrate on what you can influence, do your utmost, and let go of the rest, you open the door to new opportunities and liberate yourself to live authentically.
Section 1.1: The Nature of Control
It’s crucial to recognize that we cannot manage many aspects of our lives. External factors, such as a reckless driver or someone leaving their shopping cart in the wrong place, are beyond our control. Life is unpredictable, and we must accept that.
Epictetus once stated, “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” This serves as a poignant reminder that our emotional energy should be wisely invested.
We must not exhaust ourselves fretting over unchangeable situations. Regardless of our desires for them to be different, they will remain outside our influence.
Section 1.2: What Can We Control?
So, if we can’t govern so many elements of our lives, what can we manage?
We can control our communication with loved ones, our skill development, our sleep schedules, and our contributions to the community. We can choose to pause before reacting when faced with unfair circumstances, taking deep breaths or stepping back during conflicts.
Moreover, we have the power to reassess our beliefs, particularly those that no longer serve us well. As Orson Scott Card said, “This is how humans are: We question all our beliefs, except for the ones that we really believe in, and those we never think to question.”
Chapter 2: A Stoic Perspective on Life
The notion of contemplating mortality is a Stoic principle that liberates us from needless worry. Life will unfold as it will, and comfort is not a guarantee; rather, we are here to create, build, and express ourselves.
The beauty of life lies in experiencing it as it is meant to be. By adopting a mindset of creation, we acknowledge that our present reality is a result of our past actions.
Ultimately, what matters is not the challenges we face but how we choose to respond to them—with Courage, Temperance, Justice, and Wisdom.
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