Brian JohnsonChairman & Philosopher in Residence at Heroic

The Stoic Secret Behind the Let Them Theory

31 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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Brian Johnson explains the Stoic divide between what you control (your thoughts, values, how you show up) and what you don't (other people, weather, systems). The "let them" mindset follows: stop trying to change people and accept they'll do what they do. Focus your energy on what's actually yours to shape.

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Stoicism 101 is this: you have control over some things and you don't have control over other things. Quit worrying about the things you do not have control over. Focus on the things you do have control over. What do you have control over? You have control over your thoughts, your behaviors, your values, how you're showing up in the world. You do not have control over other people, the weather, broader systemic, you know, political challenges, etc. That's Stoicism 101. Applied here, let them. You do not have control over other people. Quit trying to exert that control. Let them.