How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Reiterating the advice of Sir William Osler, Carnegie recommends living in “day-tight compartments.” This technique involves narrowing one’s focus to the tasks and opportunities of the present day, without worrying about the past or the future. The concept ties in with the book’s theme of Focusing on the Present.

Carnegie shares an anecdote from Benjamin Franklin’s life to illustrate the concept of “giving too much for the whistle.” As a boy, Franklin was delighted with a toy whistle he bought until his siblings revealed he had paid over the market price for it. The author applies this idea to situations where individuals expend mental energy on negative emotions such as resentment, hatred, and anger. He asserts that this tendency causes mental and physical harm.

Applying the law of averages is a technique Carnegie recommends to combat worry. The author points out that many worries about are irrational and unlikely to happen. He therefore suggests working out the probability that a dreaded event will occur. This method is often effective in eliminating worries altogether.

Carnegie employs this concept when discussing how to deal with unjust criticism. The phrase is a reminder that people rarely verbally attack individuals they consider insignificant. For this reason, the author argues that unwarranted criticism should be perceived as “a disguised compliment” (232).

The author presents the image of sawing sawdust to support the importance of futility of worrying about the past. He suggests that dwelling on events that cannot be changed is as pointless as trying to saw sawdust.

Carnegie uses this financial term to convey the importance of setting limits in one’s life. In investing, stop-loss orders minimize financial losses by setting an exit price at which shares decreasing in value will automatically be sold. The author suggests that stop-loss orders can also be used to prevent individuals from wasting time or energy on an unprofitable cause. He advises readers to place a stop-loss order on their worries. He also suggests applying this principle to resentments toward others. The concept underlines Carnegie’s emphasis on emotional efficiency.