“You have to assemble your life yourself, action by action.”

Back again with another Marcus Aurelius quote.

At the end of the day, you are responsible for your life. No one else.

I wrote last week about how there are quotes that sit with me longer than others. I follow quite a few accounts on social media which publish quotes from famous philosophers and stoics like Marcus Aurelius and another quote of his has been my favourite this week.

“You have to assemble your life yourself, action by action.”

Your life and how it turns out is decided by the actions you take every single day, not just the big life changing moments. Some people think that the day to day doesn't matter but it does, the day to day is vital. Those daily actions and the choices you make compound over time and produce results.

Let’s use exercise as an example.

One gym session is not going to change your physique, it’s physically impossible. But, consistent sessions over time will produces changes in your physique. Similarly, one day lounging about watching Netflix isn’t going to damage your health or progress. However, consistent days like that, will.

That quote from Marcus Aurelius also highlights that you’re the one in control of your life, no one else.

A lot of people go around blaming other people and things for the reasons why their life hasn’t turned out the way they were hoping it would but we all know that’s nonsense. Your life is your life, and you’re in charge.

Life can be awful at times and throw some real spanners in the works but it all comes down to how you react and the decisions you make.

Choice by choice, action by action, your life unfolds in front of you. Make sure you the make the right ones.

See you next week.