If you are reading this letter, you are likely dealing with stress. How can I infer this when we haven't even met? The answer is simple; we all deal with stress. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, healthy or ill, young or old -- even children experience stress. Stop dreaming that if you could only win the lottery, your life would be stress-free and start managing your stress now.
Step One: Acknowledge and accept that you have a significant amount of stress in your life.
You can't do anything about stress if you're denying you have it. You can still respond with, "Fine" when your spouse asks you how your day was. However, you must focus on recognizing the root causes of the stress and then move forward to address the issues directly.
Try to practice living in the moment and not "sweating the small stuff." Determine which situations are within your control, meaning those situations which you have the power to change, and concede those situations which you cannot change as they are not within your control.
Step Two: Take responsibility for your own life, decisions and actions.
Refuse to consider yourself a victim. Wake up each day and be mentally strong and make conscious changes to the way you do things envisioning a positive outcome.
Step Three: Take care of yourself.
You will not be able to take care others if you don't make a concerted effort to take proper care of yourself. Do not allow yourself to withdraw from family or friends and learn to balance work and play, as both are equally important to leading a balanced life.
It is also important to seek out a healthy way to manage everyday stress. You don't have to begin training to be a Ninja Warrior or Iron Man / Woman, but going for a walk or working on a hobby you enjoy can refocus your energy on something positive.
It is very important to get a sufficient amount of sleep in order to work smarter during your work day. Skimping on sleep and working a longer, harder day can be counter-productive as your brain operates at its best when rested.
Step Four: Use everyday stress to make yourself stronger and better.
It's true that, given time and adequate pressure, coal turns into diamonds. The pressure you're feeling on a day-to-day basis can either turn you into a bitter, grumpy person with a low quality of life or it can make you stronger and more successful. Decide to make the change and use stress to propel you to a better place in life.
I hope you each take a little time to yourselves each day to become stronger, healthier and happier. I also hope you do win the lottery... because even though you will still have stress, you can be stressed while lounging on your yacht.
Best wishes,
Kip
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