Sterling's Six-Step Impression Management Manual

 

# Sterling's Six-Step Impression Management Manual

*Based on Grant Sterling's "Core Stoicism" and "I receive impressions."*

Sterling Crucial Logic AI

## Introduction: The Foundation of Crucial Logic

Grant Sterling's six-step methodology provides a systematic approach to managing impressions according to Stoic principles. The foundation is Sterling's **Crucial Logic**: "Only controlled things can be good or evil." This revolutionary insight transforms how we process every experience, emotion, and situation we encounter.

Each step builds upon the previous ones, creating a complete system for achieving Stoic wisdom and progressing toward the Sage ideal.

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## Step A: Refuse External Value Assents

### What It Means

Step A involves identifying and rejecting any impression that attributes goodness or evil to external things—events, people, outcomes, or circumstances beyond your direct control.

### How to Apply It

When you notice thoughts like:

- "This criticism is terrible"

- "Missing this opportunity would be awful" 

- "Getting promoted would make me happy"

- "This setback is ruining everything"

**Refuse the assent.** Recognize that you're attributing value to something external.

### Sterling's Key Insight

External events are neither good nor evil by nature—they're **indifferent**. Only your will, judgments, and responses can be truly good or evil.

### Example in Practice

**Impression**: "My boss's harsh criticism is devastating"

**Step A Application**: Refuse to assent to "criticism = devastating." The criticism is an external event; it cannot be inherently good or evil.

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## Step B: Refuse Inappropriate Response Assents

### What It Means

Step B targets emotional and behavioral responses that aren't aligned with Stoic virtue. These are typically passion-driven reactions based on incorrect judgments about externals.

### How to Apply It

Identify and reject responses such as:

- Anger over things you cannot control

- Excessive worry about future outcomes

- Despair over past events

- Vindictive desires for revenge

- Overwhelming grief over losses

### Sterling's Framework

Ask yourself: "Is this response based on correct judgment about what I control?" If not, refuse the assent to that emotional response.

### Example in Practice

**Impression**: "I want revenge against my colleague who got the promotion I deserved"

**Step B Application**: Refuse the assent to revenge-seeking. This response is based on the false judgment that the promotion (external) was "owed" to you.

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## Step C: Consciously Formulate External Indifference

### What It Means

Step C is the positive reformulation after refusing incorrect assents. You consciously recognize and affirm that external events are indifferent—neither good nor evil by nature.

### How to Apply It

After refusing incorrect value judgments (Step A), actively state the truth:

- "This event is indifferent"

- "This outcome has no power over my character"

- "This situation is external to my essential self"

- "I am indifferent to this result"

### Sterling's Emphasis

This isn't passive resignation—it's **active philosophical positioning**. You're consciously aligning your judgment with Stoic truth.

### Example in Practice

**Following Step A**: After refusing to see criticism as "devastating"

**Step C Application**: "This criticism is indifferent. It cannot harm my character or essential wellbeing. I remain unmoved by this external event."

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## Step D: Consciously Formulate Appropriate Action

### What It Means

Step D determines the virtuous response based on the four cardinal virtues: Wisdom, Justice, Courage, and Temperance. This is where you decide how to act in alignment with Stoic principles.

### How to Apply It

Ask yourself:

- **Wisdom**: What does rational understanding suggest?

- **Justice**: What response serves the common good?

- **Courage**: What action requires moral strength?

- **Temperance**: What response shows proper restraint?

### Sterling's Method

Focus entirely on what you control: your judgments, responses, and actions. Choose the path that expresses virtue regardless of external outcomes.

### Example in Practice

**Situation**: Harsh criticism from boss

**Step D Application**: "I will respond with dignity, evaluate the feedback objectively for any useful insights, maintain professional composure, and continue focusing on excellent work—all within my control."

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## Step E: Recognize Controlled Excellence (Joy)

### What It Means

Step E identifies moments when you successfully exercise virtue and achieve controlled excellence. This recognition produces authentic Stoic joy—satisfaction from virtuous action rather than external outcomes.

### How to Apply It

Notice when you:

- Act with virtue despite external pressure

- Maintain equanimity in difficult situations

- Choose wisdom over emotion

- Respond with justice, courage, or temperance

- Successfully apply Stoic principles

### Sterling's Joy Concept

True joy comes from recognizing that you've exercised your will correctly, regardless of external results. This is the joy of **controlled excellence**.

### Example in Practice

**Recognition**: "I maintained my composure and responded professionally despite the unfair criticism"

**Step E Application**: "I experience joy because I acted virtuously. This joy comes from my controlled response, not from any external validation."

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## Step F: Character Development Tracking

### What It Means

Step F involves conscious monitoring of your progress toward Sage-level character development. Each application of the six-step process contributes to your philosophical advancement.

### How to Apply It

Regularly assess:

- How consistently do you apply Steps A-E?

- Which virtues are strengthening through practice?

- Where do you still struggle with inappropriate assents?

- How is your overall character developing?

### Sterling's Vision

The goal is systematic progress toward the Sage ideal—perfect alignment of will with nature, complete virtue, and unshakeable tranquility.

### Example in Practice

**Tracking**: "This week I successfully applied Step A in 7/10 challenging situations. My temperance is improving, but I still struggle with Step B regarding work stress. I'm making measurable progress toward wisdom."

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## The Complete Process in Action

### Scenario: "I'm devastated about being passed over for promotion"

**Step A**: Refuse the assent that "not getting promoted = devastating." The promotion is external and therefore indifferent.

**Step B**: Refuse the assent to devastation, despair, or anger. These responses are based on incorrect judgments about externals.

**Step C**: "This promotion decision is indifferent. It cannot affect my essential character or wellbeing. I am unmoved by this external outcome."

**Step D**: "I will respond with dignity, continue excellent work, perhaps seek feedback for improvement, and maintain focus on what I control—my effort and character."

**Step E**: "I recognize controlled excellence in my dignified response. I experience joy from acting virtuously regardless of the external outcome."

**Step F**: "This application of the six steps strengthens my character. I'm progressing toward Sage-level equanimity and wisdom."

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## Key Principles to Remember

1. **Only controlled things can be good or evil** (Sterling's Crucial Logic)

2. **External events are indifferent by nature**

3. **Virtue is the only true good**

4. **Joy comes from controlled excellence, not external outcomes**

5. **Character development requires conscious, systematic practice**

6. **The goal is progress toward the Sage ideal**

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## Advanced Practice Notes

- **Sequential Application**: The steps build upon each other—don't skip ahead

- **Conscious Effort**: Each step requires deliberate mental action, not passive observation

- **Regular Practice**: Apply the methodology to both major events and daily minor irritations

- **Self-Monitoring**: Track your progress honestly and adjust your practice accordingly

- **Theorem Integration**: Connect your practice to Sterling's Core Stoicism theorems for deeper understanding

The six-step methodology transforms Stoic philosophy from abstract theory into practical daily discipline, systematically developing the character and wisdom of the aspiring Sage.