There is a direct connection between low stress and high productivity. Here’s how to make that connection and benefit from it: Understand what matters.
Not all the time, but certainly most of the time, I see people stressing over things of absolutely no real consequence. Now obviously this is in large part a by-product of my living in the First World in pretty safe circumstances. But awareness of that is actually one of the things that helps keep me focused on what matters! Other people in my “bubble” also live in safety and comfort in the United States, but many of them just stress themselves out all the time.
This applies to their home life, their work life, all of it. Almost everything you’re stressing about has no actual bearing on the true results or goals you care about, no matter what they are. And that’s largely because people are bad at identifying real goals to begin with.
If you take the time to identify what you really want, and what’s really important, it becomes much easier to eliminate things that aren’t directly contributing to it. And that takes away 90% or more of the things you’re stressing over. You get laser-focused and more relaxed!
The Opportunity Machine 