Business By Hormozi #170: The Power of Perspective – Most Stress Can Be Resolved by Remembering You’re Gonna Die

Tina's Story of Finding Clarity Through Mortality

Tina had always been a high achiever. She was driven, focused, and constantly striving for more. Whether it was at work, in her relationships, or with her personal goals, she always felt the pressure to be perfect and do more. But the stress, the constant worry about whether she was doing enough, began to weigh on her.

One day, Tina attended a seminar where the speaker, an entrepreneur with years of experience, said something that completely shifted her mindset. “Most stress can be resolved by remembering you’re gonna die and get a two-paragraph obituary that’ll cover your retirement home activities, a thank you to your nurse, and a list of surviving family members. That’s it.”

At first, Tina was taken aback. “What do you mean?” she thought. But as the speaker explained further, Tina began to understand the point. All of the stress that Tina had been carrying—the constant worry about how others saw her, the overwhelming need to be successful and perfect—was rooted in the belief that she needed to make a lasting impact in every moment. But, as the speaker pointed out, the truth was simpler than that: life is short. Ultimately, we don’t need to accomplish everything or be everything to everyone. We’re all going to leave behind a few lines in an obituary. And, in the grand scheme of things, most of the stress we experience now won’t even matter by the time that obituary is written.

Letting Go of Stress Through Perspective

Tina took this new perspective and applied it to her daily life. Whenever she felt stressed, she would remind herself of the bigger picture. Was the stress over a minor issue really worth losing sleep over? Would anyone remember this moment years from now? The answer was often no. By reminding herself that life is finite and that most of the things she stressed about would seem insignificant in the end, she found a sense of calm.

Over time, Tina became more focused on the things that truly mattered to her—spending time with loved ones, pursuing work that felt meaningful, and letting go of the little things. She found that her stress levels dropped significantly. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the need to constantly perform and achieve, Tina learned to prioritize her well-being and happiness, understanding that not every moment had to be perfect to be fulfilling.

The Takeaway: Prioritize What Truly Matters

Tina’s story shows that perspective can be a powerful tool in managing stress. When you remember that life is finite and that the little things that cause you stress today won’t matter in the long run, you’re better able to let go of what doesn’t serve you. Most stress can be resolved by remembering you’re gonna die. This simple truth can free you from the pressure of perfection and help you focus on the things that truly matter.

Instead of worrying about every tiny detail, embrace the fact that life is short and that you have the freedom to choose what to focus on. Whether it’s your family, your passions, or simply enjoying the present moment, find peace in knowing that the obituary won’t need to be filled with regrets about what you didn’t do. It will only mention the people you loved and the simple joys you embraced along the way.