Stimulus | Helping Doctors overcome burnout, excel in leadership, and unlock their most fulfilling careers
Stimulus | Helping Doctors overcome burnout, excel in leadership, and unlock their most fulfilling careers
Rob Orman, MD
Phantasia Kataleptike | The secret skill of Stoicism
31 minutes Posted Mar 11, 2024 at 2:30 am.
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Phantasia Kataleptike, a lesser-known gem from Stoic philosophy, offers a transformative approach to life's challenges. This practice of 'objective representation' strips away the layers of subjective judgment that often cloud our perceptions. Imagine the power of viewing a setback not as a disaster but simply as a fact of life, a moment ripe with potential for growth. How does this shift affect our inner turmoil? The Stoics had insights that might surprise you, blending ancient wisdom with actionable strategies for modern living. 

In this pod, we break down the essence of Phantasia Kataleptike and multiple methods for employing it as a tool for equanimity and de-catastrophization. 

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We Discuss:

  • Defining Phantasia Kataptike
  • Acceptance of what is
  • A dog and a cart | Epictetus’ classic simile
  • Why the words we use impact us as much as (or more than) they impact others
  • The lost ship
  • The A-hole in a Jaguar
  • Operationalziing Phantasia Kataleptike
  • Valence | Awareness of emotion and narrative 
  • The Dichotomy of Control
  • How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
  • Actively de-catastrophizing 
  • Shifting from ‘what if’ to ‘why did’ to ‘so what?’ to ‘what’s next’
  • The threat-challenge seesaw
  • What to do when the emperor banishes you
  • The counterarguments to Phantasia Kataleptike

Mentioned in this episode:

4 Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice

Scripting your least favorite conversations

The Driveway Debrief
My 4 favorite documentation templates
The quick and dirty guide to calling consults

Free Resources Link

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