Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy created in the early third century BC by Zeno of Cyprus, advocates the development of self-discipline and fortitude as a way to overcome harmful emotions. The school of thought maintains that moral excellence, the supreme good, is based on wisdom and that the enlightened exist in harmony with the universal Reason that rules the cosmos. This congruent existence requires embracing the moment as it unfolds, not letting oneself to be ruled by the craving for gratification or dread of discomfort.

At its heart, Stoic philosophy instructs that external circumstances are outside our control; we can only influence our reactions to them. This approach encourages grit and emotional equanimity, allowing individuals preserve inner peace amidst life's difficulties. The Stoic habit of awareness, or "prosoché," requires perpetual awareness and attention to one’s mental processes and deeds, ensuring they conform with reason and moral excellence. Notable Stoic thinkers such as Marcus Aurelius, Epiktetos, and Lucius Annaeus Seneca have left behind irreplaceable wisdom that continue to influence contemporary thought and self-help practices.

The Stoic philosophy's stress on rationality and self-control provides a useful structure for individual growth. By focusing on what we can manage and accepting what we cannot, practitioners of Stoicism hold we can achieve peace and a life of fulfillment. This ideology's ageless insights offers direction on managing adversity, controlling feelings, and practicing ethical behavior. Through the cultivation of ethical principles like wisdom, bravery, righteousness, and temperance, Stoic philosophy encourages individuals to live lives of significance and business philosophy integrity, despite external situations.