How I Manage Stress

People often ask how I've worked so many hours a week for so many years without burning out. My keys to stress management are:

• I am mainly self-employed so no one controls what I do. And when I want to work for others, I accept only work that would give me autonomy.
• I try, not always successfully, to work without rushing.
• I realize I can survive any failure. For example, let's say my boss at the radio station fired me for saying something he didn't like. I'd try to find a better radio station, at least one that won't fire me because I said one wrong thing. And even if I never worked in radio again, I'd find something else, maybe something even better to do. I can survive anything except end-stage cancer.
• When I get stressed, I use very quick stress reducers: I take deep breaths, pet my dog Einstein, or take him for a walk. Even more potent,
• I use the Stop Technique:
  

  1. Realize that all of us deserve to not be shackled by worry, even if I've made mistakes. We all have.
  2.As soon as a worrisome thought enters my consciousness, I say "Stop!" and quickly replace it with a productive activity.
  3. If I can't distract yourself, I ask myself, "What's the most likely positive outcome?" That eases my anxiety. Then, "What's the worst that's likely to happen? How could I cope with that?" I could, couldn't I?"

You needn't reduce your stress to zero. Indeed, you'd probably then be bored, torpid. But these ideas should at least help keep the lid on.