Putting Our Impressions to the Test

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus who stated, “First off, don’t let the force of the impression carry you away. Say to it, ‘hold up a bit and let me see who you are and where you are from—let me put you to the test’ . . .” (page 113). What do you think he meant by this?

An impression is an especially marked and often favorable influence or effect on feeling, sense, or mind. This form of thinking can happen at lightning speed. Personally, Epictetus advocated slowing down the process of decision-making when impressions are at play.

As well, he made a persuasive case for self-talk (talk or thoughts directed at oneself). On a daily basis, I use this practice in my personal life. Additionally, I invite my clients to do the same. Regarding this approach to rational living, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 113):

One of the wonders of your mind is the quickness with which it can comprehend and categorize things. As Malcolm Gladwell wrote in Blink, we are constantly making split-second decisions based on years of experience and knowledge as well as using the same skill to confirm prejudices, stereotypes, and assumptions. Clearly, the former thinking is a source of strength, whereas the latter is a great weakness.

“Dude, look for dirty shoes,” my former supervisor in the field of loss prevention once told me, “because if they have dirty shoes, that can’t afford the cart full of electronics they’re wheeling around the store.” Her impression wasn’t entirely useless.

However, stated by the authors of The Daily Stoic as a “weakness,” my former supervisor’s assumption was based on prejudice (an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics). Still, she wasn’t necessarily wrong.

More times than not, the people who I caught stealing merchandise had dirty shoes. Yet, this wasn’t true of all shoplifters or people with unclean footwear. Regarding this matter, authors of The Daily Stoic add (page 113):

We lose very little by taking a beat to consider our own thoughts. Is this really so bad? What do I really know about this person? Why do I have such strong feelings here? Is anxiety really adding much to the situation? What’s so special about __________?

“Is it true that everyone with dirty shoes and a basket full of electronics is a shoplifter?” I could’ve asked myself. “Maybe this person has neglected care of his shoes so that he could afford that gaming console, stereo, and other electronic items,” I could’ve reasoned.

Of course, rational (both logical and reasonable) thinking like that didn’t make for an effective loss prevention employee, because I was paid to address thievery, not provide a benefit of the doubt. In any event, authors of The Daily Stoic conclude (page 113):

By asking these questions—by putting our impressions to the test as Epictetus recommends—we’re less likely to be carried away by them or make a move on a mistaken or biased one. We’re still free to use our instincts, but we should always, as the Russian proverb says, “trust, but verify.”

Regarding my former role in loss prevention, I could’ve trusted people to be fallible human beings. By doing so, I’d never have been disappointed. In this way, dirty shoes or not, I could’ve then verified whether or not their cart full of electronics was going to be paid for.

This is a healthy approach to life, as I see it. How about you? What do you think of Epictetus’s advocacy for slowing down the process of decision-making when impressions are at play? If you’d like to know more about this and other Stoic lessons, I’m here to try to help.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

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Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

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