Assignment Task 1: Man or Woman of Exemplary Character
Set your Moral Destinations: Write a List of 6 Epithets
"Above all we must decide what sort of people we want to be, and what kind of life we want to lead. This turns out to be the most difficult question of all" Cicero, On Duties, Book 1, Line 107
Introduction:
Seneca said, "If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable." ("On the Shortness of Life"). Marcus Aurelius took this advice to heart; he set his moral destination. Marcus developed "epithets" he aimed for, ways he wanted to be remembered after he was gone: Upright. Modest. Straightforward. Fair Minded. Cooperative. Disinterested. These words embody the person he wanted to be. That doesn't mean he always perfectly embodied those attributes. But it did mean that whenever he caught himself veering off course, he had the ability to steer the ship back on track. His epithets allowed him to return to making decisions that aligned with the person he wished to be.
The Navy expects its members to be men and women of exemplary character. Just as Marcus Aurelius had a list of qualities and principles that drove his life, so should you, and these principles should be aligned with the Navy's values of honor, courage, and commitment. These principles must form a moral compass that consistently points you to do the right thing.
Exercise:
Today, define your destination. Write out your list of 5-to-10 character traits that describe the person you wish to be. If a friend were asked to describe you in 5 to 10 words, what do you hope they would say?
Finally, put those 5-10 words in a location where you will see them every day for the next four weeks, whether that is the background on your phone, a piece of paper in your wallet, or framed in your room.
Notice that Marcus's epithets have nothing to do with specific actions or outcomes. Also notice then when choosing his destination, he doesn't aim at things he can't control: growing the most powerful empire, turning the citizens of Rome into Stoics, creating an undying legacy. He sets moral destinations. Upright. Modest. Cooperative. These are destinations he can reach as soon as he chooses to do so. These are ports of call which can never be closed to him, even if his empire were to be wrestled away.
Assignment Task 2:
Internalize Life Lessons: Write them Down
"When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one's energy, that one's modesty, another's generosity, and so on. Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we're practically showered with them. It's good to keep this in mind."
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 6, #48
Introduction:
When faced with a difficult leadership challenge, the best of us often think back to these influential individuals and ask, "What would they do?" However, we won't always have the time to sit back and weigh the pros and cons of our decision. Sometimes we must act quickly and assertively. To do that, these individuals and the lessons they taught us must be at the front of our minds not tucked deep into our subconscious. So let's get it down on paper. Let's see how it looks when we read it back to ourselves. And as it changes, as we change, let us keep polishing it over our lifetimes, until the details in our writing reflect the content of our character
Exercise:
For today's challenge your assignment is to sit down and write your own list of debts and lessons.
Reflect on the influential figures in your life. Who are they? What did they teach you? What did you learn from them? Was it a specific lesson or the way they carried themselves? Think about the traits you've observed and admired in each person.
Next, write one of those individuals a note of gratitude. It could be a simple email or text outlining the lessons you learned from them and the gratitude you have for them, or, break out a piece of paper and an envelope and hand write your note.