About Chris Marr

List #3 – What do I have complete control over?

The truck was fully loaded and we were ready to hit the road. Cara was at work and I had arranged time off to take the two wee ones on a short caravan holiday in the country.

We were extra excited about the trip because Granny and Grandad were meeting us there.

Just as I was getting ready to hit the road, in a split second I played out this horrendous accident in my mind where I crashed the truck and killed my kids. It came out of nowhere and knocked the wind out of me.

If you’re a parent you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. It seems that you can’t experience joy and excitement without a dash of fear and despair.

Continue reading →

A personal philosophy for work

As you may know, just over a year ago I made the transition from entrepreneur to employee. It wasn’t as smooth as I first thought it might be and I continue to learn a lot about myself.

I’ve been slowly developing a personal philosophy for how to be a great team player at work, all while staying true to myself.

As you’d predict, I’ve been working it out over a series of lists 😉

Have a peek at these five lists and see if there’s something here for you…

Continue reading →

How has Marcus Aurelius helped me to be a better team player at work?

A short selection of my favourite quotes…

“We were born to work together.” – 2.1

“Constant awareness that everything is born from change.” – 4.36

“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?’” – 5.1

“Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.” – 5.33

“If it’s not right, don’t do it. If it’s not true, don’t say it.” – 12.17

Continue reading →

Getting started with Stoicism in 2021

Here’s my take on where to start with Stoicism. I’ve attempted to put the books into some kind of order for you. This is how I would approach it if I started over. Of course, I haven’t read all the books that exist on the subject (probably impossible…!), and so I can only recommend what I’ve already read.

Starting with Ryan Holiday is a good idea – The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy and Stillness is the Key.

These are all great introductions to key concepts from the Stoics.

Ryan does a great job of curating Stoic lessons around these major themes – Dealing with challenges, dealing with our ego, and why finding stillness is critical in the modern day. The Obstacle is the Way is where it all started for me.

Continue reading →

[List II] Those marbles that keep on rolling…

When we ignore all the little things that need doing in our life, they rumble and clack around like marbles in our mind.

Each marble is unique in size and colour, and as you collect more you get a little heavier, a little sluggish, and as gravity pulls you further down, you eventually come to a complete stop. 

You get a little crankier, a little more distracted, a little less patient.

Little, by little, by little, you become a type of person you don’t want to be. 

And just like our parents asked us to when we were children; before we move on to the next thing it’s time to gather up all our marbles and place them in the jar.

List #2 – What have I been putting off that needs doing?

As you take each marble and place it into the jar, notice how gravity seems to loosen its grip on you. 

Notice how your mood lifts and you become a little lighter on your feet.

This list makes the seemingly unattainable achievable, eliminates anxiety and fear by making the unknown known, and brings order to chaos.

Grab your pen and get every single marble out of your head and onto paper.

DFTBA!

Chris.