The Mirage of “Good Stress” 

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
— Elbert Hubbard

In the realms of leadership, education, and entrepreneurship, the term “good stress” is often paraded around as a badge of honour. It’s as if stress, in some magical way, has been the secret sauce to success, the fuel that propels us toward our goals. But let’s pause and dissect this notion, shall we? Is there truly such a thing as “good stress,” or is it merely a mirage that keeps us wandering aimlessly in the desert of worry?

The Myth of Eustress
The concept of “eustress,” or positive stress, has been popularized in modern psychology as the kind of stress that motivates individuals to achieve their goals. It’s the adrenaline rush you feel before a big presentation, the butterflies in your stomach before a crucial meeting. But let’s be clear: stress, even when labelled as “good,” is still stress. It’s the same physiological response that triggers a cascade of hormones, elevating your heart rate and clouding your judgment.

Stress Fuels Worry
Stress, regardless of its guise, is the fuel to worry. And what is worry but the aimless movement of the mind? It’s a futile exercise that serves no purpose other than to drain our mental and emotional reserves. Worry is the antithesis of focused thought; it scatters our energies and dilutes our efforts. So, can something that fuels worry ever be deemed “good”? The answer is a resounding no.

The Leadership Dilemma
Leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs, you are the architects of the future, the visionaries who shape the world. Yet, how often do you find yourselves entangled in the web of stress, mistaking it for a necessary evil? The irony is palpable. You, who stand on the leading edge of innovation and change, are also the most susceptible to the illusion of “good stress.”

Science Behind the Illusion
Scientific research shows that stress activates the “fight or flight” response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream. While these hormones may give you a temporary boost of energy, they come at a cost. Elevated cortisol levels have been linked to a myriad of health issues, from high blood pressure to weakened immune systems. Is this a price worth paying for a fleeting moment of perceived productivity?

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
— Alan Watts

The Shift in Perspective
It’s time for a paradigm shift—from stress to serenity, from worry to wisdom. The power to transcend stress lies not in battling it, but in building a new framework where stress has no foothold. It’s about consciously choosing thoughts and actions that align with our true selves, rather than succumbing to the societal norms that glorify stress.

Conscious Choice
The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. It’s the conscious decision to focus on what truly matters, to prioritize tasks without the looming shadow of stress dictating our actions. When we make this shift, we not only liberate ourselves from the shackles of stress but also unlock a reservoir of untapped potential.