On Managing Stress: Insights from Cinema, Business Leaders, Self-Management Literature, and Spiritual Texts5 min read

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“Oh God!”

Divine Grooming Tips: Finding Normalcy Amid Chaos in ‘Oh God’In the film ‘Oh God’, God shows up in a bathroom. When the main character feels like he’s going to pass out, God tells him to shave.

He says, “Sometimes when you don’t feel normal, doing a normal thing makes you feel normal.”

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Jeff Bezos’s Approach to Stress Management and Self-Management Literature

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Jeff Bezos also shares a similar tip on handling stress. In a viral video, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, shares his approach to dealing with stress. He emphasizes the importance of taking a step back, gaining perspective, and focusing on the variables within one’s control.

Bezos is known for his ‘two-pizza rule’ for meetings, which suggests that teams should be small enough to be fed by two pizzas. This is an example of his belief in maintaining a manageable scope of work and interpersonal dynamics to reduce stress.

Additionally, Bezos advises practicing regular reflection and self-analysis. This habit aligns with the principles outlined in Peter F. Drucker’s book “Managing Oneself”. In the book, Drucker emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s strengths, performing effectively, and determining personal values.

Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” also shares parallels with these ideas. Covey’s first habit, ‘Be Proactive’, encourages individuals to focus on their circle of influence, which are things they can do something about, rather than their circle of concern, which are things they have no control over. This aligns with Bezos’ advice to concentrate on variables within one’s control.

Covey’s second habit, ‘Begin with the End in Mind’, advocates for self-reflection and understanding one’s personal and professional goals. This resonates with Drucker’s emphasis on understanding one’s strengths and personal values.

Covey’s third habit, ‘Put First Things First’, is about prioritizing tasks based on importance rather than urgency, which echoes Bezos’ ‘two-pizza rule’ for maintaining a manageable scope of work.

Furthermore, Covey’s habit of ‘Sharpen the Saw’ which encourages regular self-renewal and self-care, aligns well with the idea of maintaining normalcy to manage stress, as advised in the movie ‘Oh God’.

Spiritual Insights from the Bhagavad Gita and Shirdi Sai Baba

The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture, also provides profound insights on managing stress. As a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, it reveals spiritual truths and secrets of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti, and Karma, which can be applied to daily life for self-realization and spiritual upliftment.

One of the most important teachings from the Bhagavad Gita is the concept of detached involvement. This means to perform one’s duties without attachment to the results or outcomes, which can significantly reduce stress that often comes from worry about success or failure.
Moreover, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to maintain equanimity, a balanced mind, in all circumstances, whether in success or failure, gain or loss, pleasure or pain. This mental steadiness or calmness in all situations is a key to managing stress.

The teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba also provide valuable insights on managing stress and finding inner peace. Sai Baba, an esteemed spiritual guru of India, emphasized the importance of surrendering completely to a higher power and meditating on it. This practice can create a sense of calm and reduce anxiety, helping individuals to manage stress effectively.

He also taught that the observance of silence can be a form of praise and a way to cultivate inner peace. The act of silence, in this context, can be seen as a form of meditation, aiding in the reduction of stress and fostering a sense of tranquility.

Furthermore, Sai Baba stressed on the idea of detached involvement, similar to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. He urged his followers to perform their duties without attachment to the results, thereby reducing the stress that comes from worrying about outcomes.

In one of his stories, Sai Baba highlighted the importance of controlling one’s senses and maintaining a pure heart. He advised that while it is natural for the senses to appreciate the beauty of the world, one should not be swayed by them or crave for their objects. This teaching resonates with the need for self-control and balance in managing stress.

In conclusion, wisdom from diverse sources – the film ‘Oh God’, Jeff Bezos’ practical approaches, Peter Drucker’s introspective strategies, Stephen Covey’s habits, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and Shirdi Sai Baba’s spiritual insights – converge on a central theme: the pivotal role of self-awareness, perspective, and balance in managing stress effectively. They all emphasize the necessity for individuals to comprehend and concentrate on their sphere of influence, engage in regular self-reflection, and prioritize tasks effectively. The amalgamation of these principles into our everyday lives can enable us to better navigate the hurdles we encounter, alleviate stress, and bolster overall productivity and well-being.

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