Marcus Aurelius on Focus and Value Stream Mapping

Nearly 1,850 years ago, Marcus Aurelius was already talking about gaining clarity on what is most important, and focusing on that.

He didn’t mention Value Stream Mapping, but it’s a great way to:

• Get clarity on what our goals are, aligned with customer value
• Have conversations and analysis around the flow of work
• Get clarity on what’s the most important area to focus on improving
• Get a consensual action plan to realize the improvements

Here’s what Marcus Aurelius had to say about focus:

“Occupy thyself with few things, says the philosopher, if thou wouldst be tranquil. — But consider if it would not be better to say, Do what is necessary, and whatever the reason of the animal which is naturally social requires, and as it requires. For this brings not only the tranquillity which comes from doing well but also that which comes from doing few things. For the greatest part of what we say and do being unnecessary, if a man takes this away, he will have more leisure and less uneasiness. Accordingly, on every occasion, a man should ask himself, Is this one of the unnecessary things? Now a man should take away not only unnecessary acts, but also unnecessary thoughts, for thus superfluous acts will not follow after.”

- Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, book 4, 24