6 Ways to Make Everyday Your Best Day — Marcus Aurelius’ Daily Routine

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 161 to 180 CE. He is also known as one of the most influential Stoic philosophers of all time. His personal journal, Meditations, is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance for living a good life.

Stoicism is a school of philosophy that teaches how to live in harmony with nature and reason, and how to cope with adversity and hardship with courage and self-control. Stoics believe that we can only control our own thoughts and actions and that we should focus on what is in our power and accept what is not.

Marcus Aurelius practiced Stoicism not only as a theory but as a way of life. He applied its principles to his daily routine, which helped him deal with the challenges and responsibilities of being an emperor, as well as a human being.

How can we learn from Marcus Aurelius and adopt some of his habits into our own lives? Here are six ways to make every day your best day by following his example:

1. Wake up early and get to work

Marcus Aurelius believed in rising early each day to meet the challenges of life. He wrote in his journal:

At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?’

He also reminded himself that everything in nature is working, doing what it was born to do and that he should not be lazy or reluctant to do his job as a human being.

Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being?

By waking up early and getting to work, Marcus Aurelius showed his commitment to his duty and his purpose. He did not waste time on trivial or unimportant things but focused on what mattered most.

We can follow his example by setting our alarm clock earlier and starting our day with a clear intentions. We can ask ourselves: What is my purpose? What am I born for? What can I do today that will make a difference?

2. Plan your day and prioritize your tasks

Marcus Aurelius learned the value of planning and prioritizing from his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius, who was also an emperor and a Stoic. Antoninus taught him how to manage his time efficiently and effectively, even scheduling his bathroom breaks so he could work uninterrupted.

Marcus Aurelius used his mornings as a time of inspiration and reflection. He wrote down his thoughts and observations in his journal, which helped him clarify his goals and values. He also planned out his day, executing his tasks under the guidance of reason.

He wrote:

In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present — I am rising to the work of a human being.

We can follow his example by planning our day ahead of time and prioritizing our tasks according to their importance and urgency. We can use tools like calendars, lists, or apps to help us organize our schedules and track our progress. We can also review our plan at the end of the day and reflect on what we accomplished and what we can improve.

3. Exercise your body and mind

Marcus Aurelius understood the importance of keeping both his body and mind in good shape. He exercised regularly, both physically and mentally.

He wrote:

The body must be treated more rigorously, that it may not be disobedient to the mind.

He also wrote:

The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.

He practiced various forms of physical exercise, such as wrestling, hunting, riding, or walking. He also practiced various forms of mental exercise, such as reading, writing, meditating, or studying philosophy.

He believed that both physical and mental exercise were essential for maintaining health, strength, resilience, and wisdom.

We can follow his example by incorporating both physical and mental exercise into our daily routine. We can choose activities that we enjoy and that

challenge our body and mind, and that benefits our health and well-being.

4. Practice gratitude and generosity

Marcus Aurelius was grateful for everything he had and everyone he met. He wrote:

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

He also wrote:

Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will, and selfishness — all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil.

He did not take anything for granted, nor did he expect anything from anyone. He appreciated the simple joys of life, and he was generous with his time, attention, and resources.

He wrote:

Do your best to convince them. But act on your own, if justice requires it. If met with force, then fall back on acceptance and peaceability. Use the setback to practice other virtues.

We can follow his example by practicing gratitude and generosity every day. We can express our appreciation for the people and things in our lives, and we can share what we have with others who need it. We can also be kind and compassionate to those who may harm us or disagree with us, and we can try to understand their perspective.

5. Meditate on your thoughts and actions

Marcus Aurelius meditated on his thoughts and actions every day. He wrote:

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

He also wrote:

At the end of the day, don’t just jump into bed like a log. Take some time to go over your actions for the day. Where did you go wrong? What did you do right? How can you improve?

He used his journal as a tool for self-examination and self-improvement. He analyzed his motives, emotions, judgments, and behaviors. He corrected his mistakes, praised his virtues, and set new goals.

We can follow his example by meditating on our thoughts and actions every day. We can use a journal, a voice recorder, or any other method that works for us. We can ask ourselves: What did I think today? What did I do today? What did I feel today? How can I be better tomorrow?

6. Detach yourself from external things

Marcus Aurelius detached himself from external things that were beyond his control or influence. He wrote:

You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

He also wrote:

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

He did not let external things disturb his peace of mind or affect his happiness. He did not attach his self-worth or identity to his possessions, status, reputation, or outcomes. He focused on what he could control: his thoughts and actions.

We can follow his example by detaching ourselves from external things that are beyond our control or influence. We can remind ourselves that we are not our things, our roles, our labels, or our results. We can focus on what we can control: our thoughts and actions.

These are some of the ways we can make every day our best day by following Marcus Aurelius’ daily routine (Stoicism). By applying these principles and practices to our lives, we can become more resilient, happier, more virtuous, and wiser.

Conclusion

Marcus Aurelius was not only a great emperor, but also a great Stoic. He lived his life according to the principles and practices of Stoicism, which helped him cope with the challenges and responsibilities of his position, as well as his personal struggles and hardships.

We can learn a lot from his example and his writings, which are still relevant and useful today. By following his daily routine and adopting some of his habits, we can make every day our best day and live a good life.