How to Manage Stress

“I’m fine.” – said every CEO right before burnout.

(Here’s what the top 1% do differently about stress.)

The truth? Stress isn’t the real enemy.
Burnout is.

You can’t eliminate stress completely.
And you shouldn’t want to.

I’ve been at both extremes.
I’ve coached 100s of CEOs.

One thing became clear about peak performance:
There’s a sweet spot.

Too little stress = boredom, low output.
Too much = mental fatigue, burnout.

The real stress triggers aren’t what most leaders think:

↳ Isolation (fewer peers, less genuine feedback)
↳ Unclear priorities (urgent isn’t always important)
↳ Relentless decision-making (100s of choices daily)
↳ Full accountability (every miss has your name on it)
↳ Constant context switching (strategy at 9, crisis at 10)

But there’s a tactical system that changes everything:

—— Core Principles ——

The 4 A’s Framework (Respond, don’t react):
↳ Accept what you can’t change
↳ Adapt your response
↳ Alter what you can control
↳ Avoid unnecessary stress

Remember:
Not every meeting needs your presence.
Not every fire needs putting out today.
Not every decision needs to be yours.

—— Daily Tactics ——

🎯 Strategic Timeboxing
Block 90-minute focus zones.
No notifications. No interruptions.
This is where million-dollar insights happen.

🌱 Micro-Recovery Breaks
5–10 minute resets between tasks.
Walk. Breathe. Think.
Small breaks prevent big breakdowns.

💪 Non-Negotiable Exercise
Even 20 minutes sharpens your mind.
Movement beats mental fatigue.
Make it happen. No excuses.

⏰ Strategic “No”
Every yes drains energy.
Protect your focus like your life depends on it.
Because your business just might.

—— Weekly Ritual ——

🔄 Personal Debriefs
End each week with 3 questions:
↳ What worked?
↳ What drained me?
↳ What needs to change?

The best leaders don’t avoid stress.
They master it.

And when you do, you’ll see:
↳ Sharper decisions
↳ Stronger teams
↳ Bigger impact

Start with one small change today.

See it transform your leadership tomorrow.