We spend loads of money on stress management books and conferences. We learn how to reduce our anxiety with yoga, meditation, soothing music and medication. But, we don't often learn how to prevent it.
When was the last time that you intentionally bought a house that was $100,000 under the amount that you were approved? Or didn't fill up your entire plate with food? Or drove 5 miles under the speed limit -- on purpose? We don't do "margins" well. We usually go right to the edge, take up all the space available, schedule every minute, and allocate every dollar.
