17 Dec 2025 · 3 min
Brian Johnson teaches a Stoic practice: set clear goals but add a reserve clause like "Deo volente" (God willing), focus on the process like Apollo the archer, and accept outcomes you cannot control.
Hey, hero. If you're enjoying these daily plus ones, make sure you head to Heroic us to access a ton more resources to help you move from theory to practice to mastery and express the best, most heroic version of yourself today. And now, here's Brian with today's plus one. Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another Optimize plus one. Deo Valente. It's Latin for de God willing. The ancient Stoics told us that it's important to have clear goals, but we need to qualify those goals with something along the lines of if fate will have it, I will travel by ship to Athens. If fate will have it, I will do X, Y or Z. If fate will have it. They called it the reserve clause. It's one thing to be super clear on what we're after and super committed to making it happen, but very important. But we need to remember the fact that ultimately the results of our actions are always out of our hands. We'd be wise to remember that the patron God of philosophy was Apollo. Apollo was an archer. The archer does his very best to shoot the arrow straight toward its target. But once he has released the target knows that the outcome is out of his control. It's the same with us. We need to focus on the process. Pick a wise goal, shoot the arrow straight, and let the outcome be what it is. So Deo Valente, in the beginning, when we share our goals with ourselves and our co creators and then for me anyway, thy will be done. We don't hit the target. Okay? It is what it is. Thy will be done. It's time to love. What is the Stoics called this part of the equation, the art of acquiescence. Whatever it is, is as Byron Katie says, it doesn't make a lot of sense to argue with reality. We'll lose, but only every time. Accept what is. Love it. Get clear on the next target. Shoot straight. Enjoy the process. We hope you enjoyed today's +1. For more resources to help you move from theory to practice to mastery and express the best, most heroic version of yourself, head to Heroic Us today. And if you liked this episode, please leave a positive review and hit the Follow subscribe button on your platform of choice. And if you liked this episode, please leave a positive review and hit the follow or subscribe button on your platform of choice. Also, have you heard the news about Brian's book? Activate your heroic potential. Head to Heroic US Book to learn more and get your copy as well as check out exclusive content and bonuses. That's Heroic Us Book. Let's go, hero.
