What is stress? You would probably answer that with a long list of things that businesspeople face these days:

Rushing to pick your child up at school as you race out of a sales meeting, dealing with a spouse who is ‘on edge’ or ‘down in the dumps’, too many items on your list and not enough time (and then feeling guilty), etc .

“Technically”, that is not what stress is. Stress is what you experience when the demands of the situation exceed your perceived ability to cope with the situation. You only experience “stress” when you feel the situation is out of your control.

The secret to feeling less stressed is to boost your ability to control the things you CAN control, and have ways of taking care of yourself for the things you CAN’T (for now). Here are 3 mantras you can use to help you focus on what you CAN control.

1) “I control myself, in order to control my wealth”

Many of us are affected by the constricted economy. Instead of focusing on how your income is ‘out of your control’ now, think about: who do YOU need to be in order for your business to be more effective? What are the qualities and attributes you would want/need to have (or have more of)? (i.e., Confident? Organized? Creative? Effective communicator?). As you go through your days, instead of trying to control other people, the market, etc., put your energies into becoming a person who has your ideal attributes.

What is the one thing you could do that would further your career/business the most? Focus on getting over the hump to do that. Imagine yourself at a future time looking back on you having taken that initiative – ask yourself: “Why was it so easy for me to “go for it?” “Why was I so successful even though I felt so blocked?” Asking that question gives your mind momentum and creativity to get started.

Make that your new mantra: “I control myself, in order to control my wealth”.

2) “I control me, before I control thee”

Instead of draining yourself trying to control other people, don’t expect other people to change their behavior just because you are annoyed by it. Draw an imaginary line between what you do/what you communicate and what the other person does/what they communicate - and have an attitude in which you focus only on being “impeccable for your 50%” of any interaction.

For example, before you get irritated with someone else, calm yourself down. By being clear, level headed, caring towards the other person, you increase your chances of getting them to understand your directions or give you what you want. Before you blame what the other person isn’t doing right, focus your energies on getting into an emotional state in which you can communicate to get what you want.

One thing you can try to calm yourself down is to do “reverse breathing”, where you breathe in slowly through you mouth and out through your nose (this calms your liver where your frustration is processed). You should feel a cooling sensation across your tongue if you are doing it right. This technique creates a powerful energy shift, and has been known to calm the other person down as well as you!

This is just one example of what you can do to follow the mantra: “I control me, in order to control thee”

3) “I control my mind activity, in order to control my productivity”

Your thoughts tell your brain where to put energy and attention. Thus, your thoughts create your focus and determine how much you will get done.

Notice the things you tell yourself in order to not do certain work. Start becoming aware of what you ARE doing when you are NOT doing what you know you should. Get to know and track what you are telling yourself: “I don’t feel like it”, “I won’t have a successful result, why bother?”, or “It will take too much time”.

You have the power to police your excuses and direct your attention so you can get things done. Direct your attention to how great you will feel when you complete the necessary task. Direct your thoughts to figuring out the very first step you could accomplish that would create a momentum to get the rest of it done. Direct your mind to believe that “Done is more profitable than Perfect!”. Direct your mind to figuring out why you accepted the task if you don’t want to do it, and how you can say no effectively next time.

Remember: Control your mind activity in order to control your productivity.