Interview with Michael McGill

Welcoming Fate

Michael McGill is a CIO and Stoic influencer with 20 years in the tech industry. He advocates training IT professionals to become leaders using Stoic principles and writes the Mindset Blueprint Newsletter.

How did you become interested in philosophy?

Discovering philosophy was a happy accident. For most of my life, the subject conjured images of boring college classes and pointless mental gymnastics. I simply wasn’t interested in it. Being somewhat of a voracious reader, always willing to try something new, I read The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. I didn’t expect that it would transform my life!

Through this wonderful book, I was introduced to the philosophy of Stoicism. I loved what it had to offer: strength, tranquility, and the ability to see our obstacles as opportunities. So, after that, I went down the Stoic rabbit-hole. I read books like A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Roberson, and, of course, the works of the ancient Stoic philosophers.

I guess you could say I had a Stoicism-shaped hole, and the philosophy fits me like a glove. In the Beatles song “Carry That Weight”, there’s a lyric that has always resonated with me:

“Boy, you’re going to carry that weight a long time.”

I always felt that I was carrying a weight through life. Stoicism helped lift my heavy load. Over eight years later, I still read and practice Stoicism on a daily basis—becoming my operating system for life. I have wandered a bit in my philosophical journeys and read the works of some other philosophers (Montaigne, Cicero, Plutarch), but Stoicism will always be my philosophical home.

Michael McGill 💻 🏛 @mcgillmd921

"We are in the habit of saying that it was not in our power to choose the parents who were allotted to us, that they were given to us by chance. But we can choose whose children we would like to be." ~ Seneca, On the Shortness of Life #Stoicism

What’s the most important concept or idea that you teach people?

The Dichotomy of Control. 

Epictetus said,

Of things, some are in our power, and others are not.

It’s simple, it’s basic…but it is also incredibly powerful. This is the dichotomy of control and it’s applicable in every area of our lives.

As simple as it appears, really, how many times have you gotten upset over things you cannot control? It’s probably more than you would care to admit. Have you ever gotten upset over the weather? Politics? The actions of others? What others think about you? All things you either cannot control or have very little control over. 

The dichotomy of control is an easily applicable tool to help alleviate stress and worry in your life. It’s the most powerful concept I have extracted from Stoicism.

Stoicism is what I call a “portable” philosophy. It’s lightweight and easy to carry through life. Its concepts are usable and easy to recall when needed.

What do you think is the most important piece of practical advice that we can derive from your work?

That philosophy does not have to be an esoteric, navel-gazing exercise. We don’t have to use philosophy to ask silly, pointless questions about whether trees falling in woods with no one there to hear make sounds or not.

I’m here to tell people that there are philosophies out there that are accessible, easy to read, and extremely practical for our modern, day-to-day lives.

Philosophy can be practical. Philosophy can be useful. Philosophy can help us to live happier, better lives. Especially Stoicism!

Do you have a favorite quote that you use?

To welcome with affection what was sent by fate. – Marcus Aurelius

So much of our suffering and unhappiness in life is caused by resistance to what is happening in the moment, what happened in the past, and what we think will happen in the future. This quote from Marcus reminds me not only to accept what is happening, what has happened, or might happen to me, but to welcome it…with affection!

Now any time I’m feeling a twinge of emotional pain (stress, anxiety, anger, sadness) I ask myself, what am I resisting? Then I recite this short but powerful Marcus Aurelius quote to myself and challenge myself to not only accept it, but to find the good in it. It’s there if I look hard enough.

Marcus’ quote that encapsulates amor fati beautifully.

What advice would you give someone who wanted to learn more about what you do?

I recommend reading A Guide to The Good Life by William Irvine. There are a lot of great books about Stoicism by some incredible authors, but I feel Irvine’s book captures the philosophy best and makes it easily applicable.

The Gregory Hays translation of the Meditations is a go-to I highly recommend as well. It reads beautifully.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my content about Stoicism, you can check me out on Twitter, Medium, or subscribe to my newsletter The Mindset Blueprint.

Suppose you were able to give a talk or workshop at the original location of Plato’s Academy, in Athens.

That sounds like it would be an incredible experience! I haven’t even travelled to Greece or Rome yet, but both are on my bucket list.

Philosophy has become such a passion and driving force in my life since I’ve discovered Stoicism. I never imagined I’d have Raphael’s The School of Athens hanging in my office. So, the thought of not only travelling to Greece, but actually talking about philosophy at the original location of Plato’s academy? Well, that sounds like a dream come true!