“Cease to hope and you will cease to fear.”

Seneca once referenced this quote from Hecato.

The Stoics saw hope as something that glues you to a future you don’t control, which is the same mistake as fear. Hope assumes there’s going to be a tomorrow, but memento mori reminds us it’s not guaranteed. And being fearful cripples your desire to act.

How many times has hesitating to act led to you running countless scenarios through your head? And how many times has that ruminating led to perpetual hesitation? It’s an endless loop, and one that you need to break.

When you’re solely running on hope, you’re sitting idly, twiddling your thumbs on the couch. Your mind is racing. Sitting there alone with your thoughts just leads to endless rumination over what could go wrong.

Keyword there: could. It isn’t a given.

I’ll admit I’ve been a victim of this cycle, time and time again. From small daily acts to much grander, more ambitious ideas. There have been times while building this Project that I’ve hesitated, then doubted, which led to more hesitation, and thus, more doubt.

I find comfort in the fact that I’m not alone in this. Everybody does it. And I’ve realized the best remedy is simply taking action. It’s a fine line. Don’t overthink, but don’t be reckless either. Hope becomes a plan the moment you take the first step and set a date.

Be confident. Take action.

Seneca would tell you to let go of hope altogether. I’d say turn it into a plan.

Write down one thing you’ve been “hoping” for. Write the smallest physical step toward it. And do it by the end of the day tomorrow.

This is you taking action. Make it happen.