Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor, a philosopher, and father of 14 (!) children. Between fighting wars, dealing with Christians, and managing a global empire, the guy still had time to jot down thoughts that would become Meditations—one of the most practical self-improvement books ever written, which is proving still extremely popular and valid today (Ryan Holiday anyone?)

What made him so productive? He didn’t have time for nonsense. And neither do you. Here are seven things he can teach you about getting stuff done without losing your mind.

1. You Don’t Have Time for Drama—So Stop Creating It

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.19

Most of us don’t fail at productivity because we lack the right tools or systems. We fail because we waste time worrying about things we can’t control—office politics, our boss’s mood swings, the algorithm screwing us over.

Marcus didn’t waste energy on things he couldn’t change. He focused on what he could do: showing up, making decisions, and moving on. You should too.

Do this:

The next time you catch yourself obsessing over something you can’t control, ask, “Does this help me get my work done?” If not, drop it like a toxic ex.

2. Procrastination Is a Form of Self-Betrayal

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work—as a human being.’”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.1

Marcus didn’t hit snooze. He knew every wasted morning was a small act of rebellion against his own potential. Procrastination isn’t just about being lazy—it’s about avoiding discomfort. And the only way to fix it is to stop waiting for motivation and start treating work like breathing—just something you do, whether you feel like it or not.

Do this:

Start your day with the hardest task. Don’t negotiate with yourself. Don’t “ease into it.” Just start.

3. Most of Your Excuses Are Lies

“If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17

Be honest—how much of your so-called “busyness” is just an excuse to avoid the work that actually matters?

Marcus understood that self-deception is the enemy of productivity. We tell ourselves we need more research before starting, that we don’t have time, that we’ll feel more inspired later. But those are just comfortable lies. The truth? The only way forward is through action.

Do this:

The next time you catch yourself making an excuse, call yourself out. Ask, “Is this actually true, or am I just avoiding hard work?”

4. You’re Going to Die—So Stop Wasting Time

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 2.11

Nothing will slap your priorities into place faster than remembering that you’re on a one-way ticket to the grave. Marcus reflected on death constantly—not in a depressing way, but as a way to focus on what actually mattered.

Stop obsessing over perfection. Stop waiting for the “right time.” Stop putting off what you really want to do. The clock is ticking.

Do this:

Ask yourself, “If I died in a year, what would I regret not finishing?” Then get to work.

5. Other People’s Opinions Don’t Pay Your Bills

“It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.4

How much of your productivity is killed by worrying about what others think?

Marcus understood that seeking validation is a distraction. You have a limited amount of energy—don’t waste it trying to impress people who wouldn’t even show up to your funeral.

Do this:

The next time you hesitate because of what someone might think, ask yourself: “Will this matter in five years?” If not, move on.

6. Consistency > Intensity

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.16

Most people approach productivity like a crash diet—they go all in for a week, burn out, and then quit. Marcus didn’t chase motivation. He built discipline through daily action.

It’s not about working 12-hour days. It’s about showing up, every single day, even when you don’t feel like it.

Do this:

Stop trying to do everything at once. Build small, daily habits instead. Progress compounds over time.

7. Failure Is Part of the Process—Embrace It

“Get back up when you fail, to celebrate behaving like a human—however imperfectly—and fully embrace the pursuit that you’ve embarked on.”
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.9

Perfectionism kills productivity. You will fail. You will make mistakes. The only question is whether you’ll use failure as an excuse to quit or as fuel to keep going.

Marcus knew that being human means messing up. But instead of beating himself up, he saw failure as proof that he was trying—proof that he was on the right path.

Do this:

Stop expecting perfection. Instead, expect progress. Every mistake is a step forward—if you learn from it.

Final Thought: You Already Know What to Do—So Do It

Marcus Aurelius didn’t have Notion. He didn’t have productivity hacks. He had discipline, clarity, and the ability to cut through his own nonsense.

You don’t need another book, another app, or another plan. You just need to start. Right now.

Because as Marcus would say: *The only thing stopping you is you.