Jaishankar’s Stress Management Advice: Invest, Sleep, and Know Your Limits
Minister Jaishankar’s Journey from Stress to Success: Lessons from ‘Live While You’re Alive’ Launch
Stress is an inevitable part of life, whether you’re discontented at work, burdened by long hours, or navigating new familial responsibilities. Managing stress has become a top priority, but our approaches often miss the mark. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, however, shared unique insights at the book launch of Shiv Khera’s ‘Live While You’re Alive,’ offering a compelling perspective on stress management.
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of confidence, self-motivation, and accepting life’s mistakes. He recollected his personal and diplomatic career milestones, advising, "Remember the examinations you didn’t clear, the jobs you didn’t get. It teaches you a lot."
The minister presented his ‘3Cs of Success:’ Contact – the more networks, the wider the reach; Chemistry –建立良好关系能够使他人更有可能为您做事; and Credibility – being seen as trustworthy and reliable.
In a lighter moment, Jaishankar acknowledged the stress of high office, quipping, "Being a minister and chronic stress don’t go together; you normalize the abnormal."
From Khera’s book, Jaishankar distilled six key takeaways: plan for the unexpected, invest in relationships, shun appeasement and toxicity, respect time, and prioritize sleep. He stressed these principles’ applicability to everyone, regardless of their stress level.
Jaishankar lauded discipline, citing young volunteers who worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized personal and organizational motivation as key drivers for going the extra mile.
The minister underscored the necessity of taking risks for rewards, citing diplomats who braved dangerous zones to evacuate Indians. Timeliness, Jaishankar added, is crucial; India’s aid to Sri Lanka and COVID-19 vaccines to Caribbean nations came at critical junctures.
Throughout his speech, Jaishankar stressed the importance of moving with the times, trusting teams, and acknowledging personal limitations.
In ‘Live While You’re Alive,’ Khera explores stress management, attitude adjustment, emotional stability, and work-life balance. The author, interacting with ANI Editor-In-Chief Smita Prakash, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between urgent and important matters in life.
"India’s startup boom sees founders working 14-16 hours daily," Khera noted, "But what good is that if you’re unavailable when your family needs you?" He warned that ignoring important aspects of life turns them into urgent, often insurmountable crises.
Jaishankar’s insights and Khera’s wisdom converge in a compelling message: stress is inevitable but manageable, and a refreshed perspective can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
Embracing LifeS Journey: Jaishankar’s Call too Action
Minister Jaishankar’s insights at the launch of ‘Live While You’re Alive’ resonate deeply in today’s world. He reminds us that stress is not an enemy to be vanquished, but a companion on life’s journey. By embracing its inevitability and focusing on proactive strategies like mindfulness, perspective shifts, and prioritizing well-being, we can transform stress from a burden into a catalyst for growth.
Jaishankar’s personal journey, marked by demanding roles and global responsibilities, underscores the universality of these challenges. His message is a call to action: to actively choose how we respond to stress, to cultivate resilience, and to ultimately live more fulfilling lives. Let us heed his wisdom and embark on our own journeys towards a life lived with purpose, presence, and a deep thankfulness for the present moment.
In a deeply insightful and encouraging address,External Affairs Minister Jaishankar demonstrated that success isn’t solely about circumventing stress,but about navigating it with resilience and a positive mindset. His “3Cs of Success” offer a practical roadmap for building a fulfilling career, while his emphasis on learning from failures and prioritizing relationships resonates deeply. Jaishankar’s message transcends the realm of politics, offering valuable life lessons that empower individuals to embrace challenges, foster strong connections, and ultimately thrive amidst the inevitable stresses of life. His candid acknowledgment of the pressures of public office,coupled with his wise advice gleaned from Shiv Khera’s ‘live While You’re Alive,’ serves as a powerful reminder that even those at the pinnacle of success face their own battles. By sharing his personal insights and emphasizing the universality of his principles, Jaishankar leaves us with a profound message: stress can be managed, success redefined, and life lived to the fullest.