Anxiety Quote by Sheryl Sandberg
““In classic experiments on stress, people performed tasks that required concentration, like solving puzzles, while being blasted at random intervals with uncomfortably loud sounds. They started sweating and their heart rates and blood pressure climbed. They struggled to focus and made mistakes. Many got so frustrated that they gave up. Searching for a way to reduce anxiety, researchers gave some of the participants an escape. If the noise became too unpleasant, they could press a button and make it stop. Sure enough, the button allowed them to stay calmer, make fewer mistakes, and show less irritation. That's not surprising. But here's what is: none of the participants actually pressed the button. Stopping the noise didn't make the difference...knowing they could stop the noise did. The button gave them a sense of control and allowed them to endure the stress.””
About This Quote
Source Research Study: Stress Experiment, 2000s, unknown journal
Knowing you can control a stressor reduces anxiety more than actually removing it; perceived control improves performance and emotional resilience.
In simple terms: Control over stress reduces anxiety more than stopping stress itself.
Key Takeaway
Focus on perceived control to manage stress.
Themes
psychology
stress management
control
performance
resilience
Mood
anxious
hopeful
reflective
Type
motivational
inspirational
psychological
When to use this quote
- workplace deadlines
- exam preparation
- public speaking
- medical procedures
- traffic jams
Key Concepts
perceived control
stress response
cognitive appraisal
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you create a sense of control when real control is limited?
- What are the risks of relying on perceived control alone?
A Different Perspective
If actual control is unavailable, perceived control may be illusory and lead to frustration.
![“[Eric Schmidt] explained that only one criterion that mattered when picking a job- fat growth. When companies grow quickly, there are more things to do than there are people to do them. When companies grow more slowly or stop growing, there is less to do and too many people to not be doing them…” quote by Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23b/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_eric-schmidt-explained-that-only-one-cri_16526.jpg)
