Set reasonable, premeditated expectations

Want to be happier in 2026? Most of us are chasing happiness whether we admit it or not.

I'm breaking down the stoic approach to living a genuinely happy life. These aren't soft motivational ideas. They're practical rules that cut through the noise and get you focused on what actually matters.

From managing your emotions like a badge of honor to finding your real purpose, I'm sharing the ancient wisdom that still works today. You'll learn why life isn't too short, how to stop pretending you know what's good or bad, and why being tied to the back of a cart isn't such a terrible thing.

Featured Story

I'm sitting here telling my wife about this band we love called Hayfire playing New Year's Eve down at North Turn on the beach. She looks at me and asks what time. I say New Year's Eve. She asks again. What time? New Year's Eve, I repeat.

She says it again. What time?

Midnight, I finally say. Twelve o'clock.

And she looks at me like I'm crazy. They could be playing midday, she says. People go out in the middle of the day.

She's right, of course. But man, I almost got myself in trouble there. Sometimes the simplest conversations remind you that happiness is in how you handle the little moments. Even the ones where you're clearly not reading the room.

Important Points

Don't enslave yourself to annoying people or situations. If something's draining your energy, move on from it.

Choose reasonable expectations and think them through beforehand. Know what's coming so you're never surprised.

Feel your emotions like a Stoic would. They're your power when you control them instead of letting them control you.

Memorable Quotes

"You are a mind operating in a bag of chemicals that you call a body. Stop pretending you know things are bad."

"Life is not too short. Life is very long. It's long enough if you manage your time and use it to your best ability."

"We are all dogs tied to the back of a really big cart. You can control your attitude about everything that's going on."

Scott's Three-Step Approach

Stop pretending you know if things are good or bad. Most of the time, you're just talking to yourself about it anyway.

Once you stop judging, find what you're interested in and follow those breadcrumbs to discover your real purpose.

After finding your purpose, control what you can control. Focus on your attitude and response to everything happening.

Chapters

0:03 - The universal goal we all share (but don't admit)

0:43 - My New Year's Eve band mistake with my wife

1:03 - Ancient stoic wisdom for modern happiness

3:08 - Stop pretending you know what's good or bad

4:31 - Why I get angry and still control my emotions

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