“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.
― Robert Eliot

In every environment, if you perform meaningful work, you will feel stress. Since there’s no way to avoid it, the only practical thing to do is figure out how to deal with that stress.

I’m sure there’s lots of useful advice already out there. Things like mental exercises, proper nutrition, and a good night’s sleep are helpful in many cases, but sometimes, you just need to face the immediate challenge in front of you. Here’s my advice for dealing with those situations.

1. Figure out what’s actually important. You need to get out of the weeds for a minute and see the whole situation.
2. Determine what you can control. Don’t worry about anything outside of your control.
3. Prioritize the problems that you can control.
4. Tackle the first problem. When you’ve taken care of that one, move on to the next. Repeat until the situation is resolved.

And remember, don’t forget to smile.