Dealing with Stress
Stress usually comes from something unresolved—some task or problem hanging in your mind, distracting you from everything else. It consumes mental bandwidth, increasing the longer you ignore it.
Dealing with stress effectively involves clearly distinguishing between things you can control and things you can't control.
Things You Can't Control
For problems outside your control, the answer is simple, though admittedly difficult: let them go. Worrying won't change the outcome, yet it will drain your energy and attention, which are resources better spent on problems you can influence. Happiness often comes from living in the present, while anxiety thrives on focusing on uncertain futures.
So, if you can't affect the outcome, the rational strategy is to stop thinking about it entirely. Easier said than done, but undeniably effective.
Things You Can Control
Most stress-inducing problems, however, fall into the category of things you can—and probably should—address directly. These tasks linger, building urgency and discomfort the longer you delay them. Ignoring them increases stress exponentially, clouding your judgment and reducing productivity.
Ironically, the simplest way to relieve this stress is to just start solving the problem—immediately. Clarify your thinking by writing down specific next steps, brainstorming actionable tasks, and making a concrete plan. The moment you begin this process, stress dissipates because your mind shifts from vague anxiety to clear, manageable actions.
For example:
"Project X won't be delivered on time, and stakeholders are anxious."
The longer you leave this vague worry unresolved, the worse it becomes. It blocks your productivity, stealing your focus. But if you break it down into steps, you regain control:
Identify the Issue Clearly—Schedule a meeting with the team tomorrow morning to understand precisely what's delaying the project.
Assess Status — Determine what has been done, what remains, and what is blocked. Prioritize.
Immediate Action — Identify any immediate actions you personally can take right now to unblock your team.
Set Clear Expectations — Communicate transparently with stakeholders about delays, critical priorities, and trade-offs.
Outline Next Steps — Write a concise action plan and share it.
Why This Works
When you translate vague anxiety into clear tasks, your mind can relax. You now have direction, tangible steps, and clarity. Instead of fretting over an undefined threat, you're actively managing the problem.
In short, to minimize stress:
Quickly discard problems outside your control.
Aggressively tackle those within your control. Most stress comes not from the problem itself, but from uncertainty about how to handle it.
Once you have a plan, the worry disappears.