Do you suffer from higher levels of stress around the holidays, Friend?
Based on the number of speaking requests I'm suddenly getting around how to manage holiday stress, it's clear that year-end stress is the norm for most high-achievers.
Today I have a surprising way to better manage and prevent stress (no matter when it happens or what's causing it).
But first, I have a quick question. . .
What causes most of your stress? Your answer likely includes one (or more) of the following: - other people (such as your boss, spouse, or kids),
- having too much to do and not enough time to get it all done, and/or
- unexpected (and uncontrollable) events.
The truth is: most stress is caused by how you think + how you respond (which means most stress is caused by you!).
When your boss shortens an already aggressive deadline, a client moves their business to a competitor, or your daughter breaks her arm playing soccer, you can control how you experience it.
Let me be clear: I'm not saying that the initial event isn't stressful (it is!).
But how you respond has a ripple effect that will either greatly decrease or increase the amount of stress you experience.
When you feel stressed, there are many emotions going on within your mind. And because you're busy, that likely means pushing through them (and not allowing yourself to feel through them fully) or rushing to "fix" things.
But I don't want you to do either of those because: - the first option isn't healthy (and might lead you to blow up with emotion at a later time), and
- the second option isn't about fixing anything, but instead allowing your emotions to take control (it's emotionally reactive).
What you need is to decrease the power your negative thoughts and feeling have over you so that you can take back control.
Your Simple Success Tip (to Increase Stress Resilience)
Here's what I want you to do: sit with your emotions. Feel them. Identify what they are. Let them be.
And then do nothing about them. No pushing them away or trying to fix things.
A quick warning: this will feel really uncomfortable.
But what happens next is magical because you'll: - become more comfortable with feeling your emotions (making you more resilient); and
- bring awareness to the thoughts behind your feelings.
The end result? More emotional control. Better ability to deal with your thoughts and stress levels. Less stress overall.
I challenge you to do this over the coming week. Once you do, hit reply to this email and let me know how it felt. I promise to get back to you with some helpful hints and tips.
XO, | 
