Running a business can be quite stressful, but one of the best entrepreneurs in the world believes that stress comes from something else.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest people in the world, has a unique perspective on stress. He’d once argued that it’s not the hard work itself that creates stress, but rather inaction in areas where we can exert some control. This idea is particularly interesting in the context of recent events, such as the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and the resulting job displacement anxieties. Many fear the hard work they’re currently putting in may become obsolete, leading to significant stress. Bezos’s perspective offers a different lens through which to view these anxieties.
“Stress primarily comes from not taking action,” Bezos explains, “over something that you can have some control over.” He continues, “Stress doesn’t come from hard work. For example, you know, you can be working incredibly hard and loving it.” Conversely, he points out, “Likewise, you can be out of work and incredibly stressed over that.”
His conclusion is straightforward: “So stress comes from ignoring things that you shouldn’t be ignoring, I think, in large part.”
These statements have significant implications for how we approach work and life in general. Bezos’s perspective suggests that taking control, even in small ways, can significantly reduce stress. This could involve learning new skills to adapt to the changing job market, networking to explore different career paths, or even just acknowledging and addressing the source of our anxieties. Rather than passively worrying about potential future problems, Bezos’ philosophy encourages proactive engagement with the challenges we face.
This perspective aligns with Bezos’s previously stated views on work-life balance. He famously doesn’t believe in “balance” but rather in “harmony.” This suggests an integrated approach where work and life aren’t competing forces but rather complementary aspects of a whole. By taking action and engaging proactively with challenges in both spheres, we can create a more harmonious and less stressful existence, even amidst significant change and uncertainty. In a world increasingly defined by rapid technological advancements and economic shifts, Bezos’s advice to confront challenges head-on offers a valuable framework for navigating the complexities of modern life.