Never Tell People What You Do by Bruce Kasanoff

Author:Bruce Kasanoff [Kasanoff, Bruce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781941115039
Publisher: Helpful Humans Media
Published: 2016-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

When You Are in Distress

A while back, I was pretty stressed out, thanks mostly to a seemingly endless stream of minor (but irritating) problems. It got so that I was reacting negatively almost immediately to each new development. Some people spend entire years in this state.

Fortunately, I realized what was happening, and managed to disrupt that negative cycle of gloom and doom. Here’s how I did it— along with a few other proven tips for staying calm:

1. Exercise: After years of resisting the fitness armband fad, I went out and bought three of them: one each for myself, my wife, and our 15-year-old son. We immediately connected our accounts, creating an ongoing challenge to see who could a.) walk at least 10,000 steps per day; and b.) exercise more than the others.

In truth, I didn’t need to “beat” my wife and son, but since then, all of us have increased our activity levels and crushed the 10k-a-day step level experts say represents the minimum needed to be healthy.

2. Goodbye, 1 a.m. bedtime: I’m a night person, and love to fiddle around late at night when everyone has gone to sleep. The quiet gives me time to think and work—but going to sleep late just makes me an even worse morning person. More importantly, I don’t have time to exercise and get my work done unless I get up early…so hello, early bedtime. I was in bed last night at 10:30 p.m., and had started writing this article at 6 a.m.

These first two tips are pretty basic, and I mention them only because they helped to dig me out of a hole. The next three are more universal, and also more impactful…

3. Anger = you lose: There are two types of Hollywood fight scenes. In one, the main character gets mad and triumphs over a stronger opponent. In the other, the opponent gets mad, and the main character wins. The second is far more realistic.

Once you lose your temper, you are in danger. You grow rash and stupid. Your vision narrows. You become easy prey for anyone who wants to defeat you.

In tough times, you must keep this truth at the front of your mind. Once you give in to anger, you lose. Don’t let others bait you, push your buttons, or simply annoy you with their ineptitude.

Ask yourself: “Who is in charge, my brain or my emotions?”

4. React slowly: I often watch stressed-out people respond immediately to every text message, email, and phone call that annoys them. In many cases, you can’t even say, “Could we take a second to talk?” before they blast out a reply.

This is an absurd, crazed habit.

Remember Number 3. Take your time. Let others wait, even when they claim they have no time to wait. Focus upon your own goals, and staying calm and in control. It is nearly always better to be intelligent than instant.

5. Ask Yourself “ Why? ” Before you make difficult decisions, ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?”

Are you reacting

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