Rules for Overcoming Worry

A few years ago I visited a used book store in Seattle. It had several cats hanging around with the customers, which was pretty cool.

I found a copy of How To Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie, of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" fame.

I bought it, and it's been a great book to keep around when I get stressed out.

One of the exercises in the book suggests creating your own rules for overcoming worry. I wrote my answers down and have copied them here.

Remember that every moment is new. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Meditate. Breathe relaxation and loving-kindness into your muscles, from head to toe.
Remember what your mother told you when you were a stressed out child (and has been so right about): "Most of the things you worry about will never even happen".
Focus on the present day in front of you. The distant future is of no concern. As Apollo Creed told Rocky Balboa as he trained to fight Clubber Lang: "There is no tomorrow!"

I put a lot of energy into stayling relaxed these days. I know that being stressed out will not only not help but rather it will harm me.

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