The hottest Substack posts of ancientlifecoach

And their main takeaways

The Classic Solution to Demoralization

373 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Philosophy Education
  1. True competence requires morale - like how Napoleon kept himself motivated with Plutarch's 'Life of Caesar'.
  2. History should inspire action in the present - it's not just about presenting facts but about bringing out the best in us.
  3. Avoid industrial-scale demoralization by studying great figures we're trained to ignore and ensuring that future generations are 'moralized' in the ancient way.

How to Get History to Work - Rome Retreat 2024

58 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🚌 Education History Retreat Art Rhetoric
  1. Reading about great deeds should make you feel greater yourself, like superior beings.
  2. Trips, especially educational ones, should aim to change you by interacting deeply with the place.
  3. Join the Cost of Glory Men's Retreat in Rome to study ancient persuasion techniques and learn from Roman figures.
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Against Rob Henderson on Envy

78 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Emotions
  1. Envy can be divided into benign and malicious forms.
  2. In classical thinking, all forms of envy were seen as destructive.
  3. It's important to differentiate positive feelings like zeal from negative emotions like envy or jealousy.

The Lysander Effect

137 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Leadership History Psychology Podcasts
  1. Embrace favoritism as a leadership strategy for unwavering loyalty from your team.
  2. Focus on being a partisan and taking your team's side in everything, even if it seems unreasonable.
  3. Combining favoritism with a worthy mission can lead to strong team loyalty and success.

How to spend the rest of the winter

78 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
  1. Winter downtime is a valuable opportunity to prepare for busier seasons.
  2. Use the quieter winter period to work on improving your skills and resources.
  3. Stay focused and productive during slow times to be ready for busier times ahead.

Proclaim a Truce

39 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
  1. During conflicts, sometimes a temporary truce can be more beneficial than continued fighting.
  2. Peacemaking institutions and events play a crucial role in bringing people together.
  3. Engaging in dialogue with enemies, even in temporary truces, can lead to discovering new paths to peace.

How to treat a defeated rival

58 implied HN points • 13 Aug 22
  1. Don't underestimate a defeated rival - the situation may not be what it seems.
  2. Be cautious with passionate individuals with wounded pride - their emotions can lead to unexpected actions.
  3. After defeating an enemy, be vigilant and don't give them a chance to retaliate - violent passions can linger.

The Art of Digging Ditches

19 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
  1. Question assumptions in your battles and in life.
  2. Redefine the landscape to gain advantage.
  3. Consider changing the setting for better outcomes in difficult situations.

A Greek General on How to End Up Doing the Real Thing

19 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
  1. To truly learn something, you must engage in the actual activity.
  2. Practical experience is key for developing important qualities like courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice.
  3. Simulators cannot fully train you for the most crucial aspects of life.

Learning to Lose is Learning to Win

19 implied HN points • 21 Jan 22
  1. Plutarch emphasizes the importance of gracefully handling losses as a way to predict behavior in the face of future successes.
  2. Observing how individuals cope with bad luck can serve as a valuable indicator of their reaction to good luck.
  3. Learning to accept and navigate misfortune can lead to better appreciation of fortune and more meaningful experiences.

How to Read All of Plutarch's Lives

2 HN points • 07 Mar 23
📚 Literature
  1. Plutarch's Lives is a comprehensive way to learn about ancient Greek and Roman history, culture, and famous personalities.
  2. Reading Plutarch's Lives in pairs or by chronological groups can help in understanding and comparing the great figures of Greece and Rome.
  3. Different editions of Plutarch's Lives are available, and reading strategies like chunking or following pairs can enhance the reading experience.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
  1. Newsletter about harnessing ancient energies for training
  2. Costofglory.substack.com coming soon
  3. Written by Alex Petkas

When winners lose elections

0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 22
  1. Winning can boost our confidence and motivation to keep winning.
  2. Success or failure feelings are not reliable predictors of future outcomes.
  3. Long-term success is determined by the ability to move past wins or losses and focus on the work.

The Spartan Attitude toward the Gods

0 implied HN points • 17 Jun 22
  1. Spartans consulted oracles for guidance on important matters like war and leadership.
  2. Some Spartans manipulated others by exploiting fear of the gods with bribes and schemes.
  3. Lysander was wary of religious manipulation and stayed true to his convictions against religious attacks.

Successfully pitch your idea to a tough crowd

0 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
  1. The character of the speaker matters more than the actual idea when persuading others.
  2. If you lack a good reputation, find someone with a good reputation to champion your idea.
  3. Work on becoming the type of person others trust to champion ideas.