Temperance in Business

What’s Temperance and how can it benefit our work?

Temperance in time

“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’” – Marcus Aurelius

Being more thoughtful about our words and our actions means what we put out into the world becomes better. More signal, less noise.

I think many of us would benefit from being slower to speak, and to make the words we say (and work we make) count for more.

Temperance in money

“You ask what is the proper limit to a person’s wealth? First, having what is essential, and second, having what is enough.” – Seneca

Being more thoughtful about our goals and how we define ‘progress’ means we get to spend less time operating from nervous energy, and more time from creative energy.

What would being truly satisfied with what you have do to your decision-making? Or your confidence on sales calls, your care to your craft, or simply your sleep patterns?

We get to make things that matter. Most of us do a much better job of that when we produce mindfully and from an mentally and emotional secure place.