Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff


Over the course of my life, I’ve come to believe that one of the keys to a happier and more successful life is learning to not sweat the small stuff. It's easy to get caught up in the little things and let them stress us out, but in the grand scheme of things, most things are small.

I like to use the acronym "STRESS" to remind my clients to Stop Taking Reality Especially Seriously Sweetie.

Here's what it means:

S - Stop: When you find yourself getting worked up over something small, take a moment to stop and breathe. Ask yourself if this is something that really matters in the grand scheme of things.

T - Take a step back: Try to gain some perspective by taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. Ask yourself how important this thing really is in the grand scheme of your life.

R - Reframe: Reframe the situation by asking yourself if there is another way to look at it. Is there a more positive or constructive way to approach the situation?

E - Evaluate: Evaluate the potential impact of the situation. Is it something that will have a lasting impact on your life, or is it something that will be forgotten in a week or a month?

S - Simplify: Simplify the situation by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts. This can help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

S - Seek support: Seek support from friends, family, or a coach when you need help navigating a difficult situation.

Remember, in the grand scheme of things, almost everything is small.


There are 100 billion stars in our galaxy and possibly a trillion galaxies in our universe. This puts our problems into perspective and reminds us that most things are not worth getting worked up over.

Here are a few examples of small things that we can learn to not sweat:

  • Traffic: Getting stuck in traffic can be frustrating, but it's not worth letting it ruin your day. Try to find ways to make your commute more enjoyable, like listening to music or podcasts.

  • Mistakes: We all make mistakes from time to time, but they are rarely as catastrophic as we imagine them to be. Learn from your mistakes and move on.

  • Minor disagreements: It's natural to have disagreements with friends, family, or colleagues, but it's important to not let them escalate into major conflicts. Learn to let go of small disagreements and focus on what's important.

In summary, learning to not sweat the small stuff is an important life skill that can help us live happier and more fulfilling lives. By using the STRESS acronym and putting our problems into perspective, we can learn to let go of the small things and focus on what's truly important.

If you're struggling to manage stress in your life, I encourage you to seek support from a coach or other trusted advisor. If you’d like to book a call with me, you can do that below. Our first meeting is complimentary.

Feeling stressed out? Overwhelmed? Frustrated?


I wrote this little guide for my clients. It contains detailed instructions for the most powerful exercise I have in my toolkit.

I call it the Serenity Method and it has created the biggest breakthroughs with the business owners I've coached. Increased profitability. Increased productivity. And most importantly: increased peace of mind.

If you'd like a copy, enter your email address and I'll be happy to send it to you.