Break problems into controllable, partly controllable, and uncontrollable categories, then set an action strategy for each—the practical version improved from Stoicism’s “dichotomy of control.”
Raymond’s interpretation (Wisdom)
Most worries in life come from things people want to control but cannot. The Stoic “dichotomy of control” says to first distinguish what is within one’s control and what is not, then focus only on what can be controlled.
When Raymond actually began writing review journals, however, he found the dichotomy a little too coarse. Many things are not black-and-white “controllable” or “uncontrollable”; there is a large gray area in between—things one cannot do yet but could do after learning. So he added “partly controllable,” allowing the result of analysis to map directly to action: immediately optimize what is controllable, schedule learning for what is partly controllable, and adjust one’s mindset or find alternatives for what is uncontrollable.
The method’s greatest strength is turning vague anxiety into a clear action list. Instead of going in circles worrying “What should I do?”, a person knows which direction to apply effort for each problem.
Strategy and method (Knowledge)
Controllable / partly controllable / uncontrollable framework
| Category | Definition | Action strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Controllable | Fully within one’s control | Act immediately, standardize the process, write an SOP, and find the best solution (highest efficiency, lowest cost) |
| Partly controllable | Current ability is insufficient, but can improve through learning | Schedule learning, seek resources, and gradually increase control |
| Uncontrollable | External factors that cannot be changed | Find an alternative, shift beliefs, learn to let go, and spend effort where it is more valuable |
Underlying Stoic logic
- Dichotomy of control: In any situation, first ask, “Is this within my control?”
- ABC theory (Albert Ellis): What troubles people is not things themselves but their views of them. Emotion (C) arises from belief (B), not the event (A) itself.
- A mature mindset recognizes the boundaries of one’s capability, proactively adjusts beliefs, and spends effort on the most valuable action.
How to practice
- Write down all worries, problems, and challenges.
- Classify each as controllable, partly controllable, or uncontrollable.
- Write a concrete action strategy for each one.
- Expand controllable problems into a mind map or flowchart to find the best path.
- A “review AI assistant” (a GPT Raymond made himself) can help with the analysis.
Related content (Information)
Course scripts
- 22 | How to Analyze Problems and Apply Stoicism — complete instruction in the Problem Analysis Method, Stoicism, ABC theory, and the dichotomy of control
- 23 | Effective Review (Part 2): How Should Goals Really Be Set? — the Problem Analysis Method as a prerequisite to goal setting
Articles and newsletters
- 2020-11-02_Stoic Philosophy More Suitable for Modern People Than Adler: Dichotomy of Control and Imagined Experiments
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- 2021-01-30_What the Infinite Game Does Not Tell You: How to Escape Social Involution
- 2020-10-11_Dilemmas of a Smart Society: Do Not Blame Technology and the Internet for Your Anxiety and Addiction
- 2020-05-26_S01E30_The Subtle Difference Between Confidence and Arrogance: When Is Persistence Stubbornness?
Original material (Data)
To be automatically imported by Readwise in the future
Related concepts
Retrospectives, The DIKW Model, Goal Setting, Growth Mindset