Learning this Leadership Lesson changed my stress levels as a developing middle manager.

I’m naturally a fixer. I want to improve things. I want to take what’s broken and make it right. I want to look at every bad situation and find a way out. I don’t like losing, or taking the lesser path. I’m Captain Kirk and the Kobayashi Maru.

You can’t fix every situation. Some outcomes are fixed in the past, and you’re just along for the ride.

You can expend your energy in a futile effort trying to stop the inevitable. Or you can spend your time helping those who will be impacted by the outcome.

Guess which one is more productive? And causes less stress?