We need to distinguish between stress and stimulation. Having deadlines, setting goals, and pushing yourself to perform at capacity are stimulating. Stress is when you're anxious, upset, or frustrated, which dramatically reduce your ability to perform.
Andrew BernsteinPeople often say that stress is a motivator. What we're referring to when we say this is really better described as stimulation and engagement.
Andrew BernsteinYou can't tell yourself that your stress is produced in your head and feel better. You still need to learn how to create a change.
Andrew BernsteinEven in this secular country, the threat posed by religious fundamentalists is never very far away. Every major religious text exhorts the same principles - that of unyielding obedience to a supernatural being, and renunciation of the intellect and personal aspirations.
Andrew BernsteinRemember that stress doesn't come from what's going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what's going on in your life.
Andrew BernsteinThe number of stressors has multiplied exponentially: traffic, money, success, work/life balance, the economy, the environment, parenting, family conflict, relationships, disease. As the nature of human life has become far more complicated, our ancient stress response hasn't been able to keep up.
Andrew Bernstein