This column begins a new series of Top 10 Tips. Let's begin with tips for managing stress, which for better or worse, just about everyone can use. Make a clear distinction between stress and pressure.
Stress comes from the outside.
It's what is imposed upon us by others, such as deadlines, bills and that jerk who cut you off in traffic. Pressure is what we tell ourselves, how we think about the stress. Give up the silly notion that you can completely reduce or eliminate the stress in life. Stress is inevitable if you are alive. The goal is to manage it well.