Excelling Under Pressure. What's the Secret?

22 replies
In this pressure cooker society, it seems the ones who succeed have to do it under pressure more and more.

Those are the one's who do it despite the odds, they seem to find a way to win when others have written them off. Whether it's sports, business or even romance - the one's who can exel under pressure come out on top.

What do you notice about people who have the ability to excel under pressure - as opposed to those who "choke", "freeze-up" or "lose it"?

For example, one thing I notice about people who excel under pressure is

- There ability to relax more - while others tense up.

- They seem to instinctively think faster on their feet than others - when the pressures on.

And

- They're usually obsessive practicers or rehearsers. When others tire of practice or rehearsing they're just starting.


Just my observation.

Any other observations?
#excelling #pressure #secret
  • Profile picture of the author theomegaformula
    Doing things under pressure is a matter of looking at things logically and not being scared. In other words, don't let your emotions get involved. When you need to find a solution. You sit back, breathe, and focus.. you don't start thinking about the bad things that could possibly happen on failure.

    If you need to force yourself to get into this mindset I would recommend taking up golf. You'll learn that bad shots will happen but it's how you compose yourself for the next shot that counts.
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  • Profile picture of the author GT
    What I have observed about leaders who succeed, whether under pressure or not, is their take-charge, no excuses attitude towards taking full responsibility for their actions and the results.

    They do not place blame or accuse others of 'failing' them. They either delegate successfully to people they know will get the job done, or they do it themselves.

    And because they take full responsibility for their actions and the outcomes, they act in full confidence that either they can get the job done, or they can adapt their methods until the job is done right.

    GT
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by GT View Post

      What I have observed about leaders who succeed, whether under pressure or not, is their take-charge, no excuses attitude towards taking full responsibility for their actions and the results.

      They do not place blame or accuse others of 'failing' them. They either delegate successfully to people they know will get the job done, or they do it themselves.

      And because they take full responsibility for their actions and the outcomes, they act in full confidence that either they can get the job done, or they can adapt their methods until the job is done right.

      GT
      That's a perfect example of Michael Jordan.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by GT View Post

      What I have observed about leaders who succeed, whether under pressure or not, is their take-charge, no excuses attitude towards taking full responsibility for their actions and the results.

      They do not place blame or accuse others of 'failing' them. They either delegate successfully to people they know will get the job done, or they do it themselves.

      And because they take full responsibility for their actions and the outcomes, they act in full confidence that either they can get the job done, or they can adapt their methods until the job is done right.

      GT
      ^^ This is bloody fantastic and spot on.
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  • Profile picture of the author janicelou
    being "under pressure" is nothing more than a perception of the event. The ones who seem to handle "pressure" well, probably do not even look at themselves as being under pressure. they just do what they need to do when they need to do it.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by janicelou View Post

      being "under pressure" is nothing more than a perception of the event. The ones who seem to handle "pressure" well, probably do not even look at themselves as being under pressure. they just do what they need to do when they need to do it.
      You right about that. You see it all the time in championship sports.

      You can observe the hero of the game. Most actually want the ball in the last few seconds - when the game is on the line.

      They seem to thrive on the pressure - but still remain focused enough to handle their business.

      They make the shot, catch the pass, get the hit, make the right pitch or hit the right receiver at the right time ... or make the sale.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizlinkx
    I think its important to think several steps ahead. Great people are always out thinking their competition.

    We also have to be great listeners. When most are under great pressure they lose their ability to listen.

    Were sometimes so focused on the problem, that we cant hear that small voice inside us that there with the answer.

    On the other hand if it werent for pressure many of us would'nt take action at all.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by bizlinkx View Post

      I think its important to think several steps ahead. Great people are always out thinking their competition.

      We also have to be great listeners. When most are under great pressure they lose their ability to listen.

      Were sometimes so focused on the problem, that we cant hear that small voice inside us that there with the answer.

      On the other hand if it werent for pressure many of us would'nt take action at all.
      You made some good points. To learn how to think several steps ahead is a gift. And having the ability to "listen" and observe under pressure allows you to perform under pressure. Not as easy to do as it looks sometime, but always seems to make the difference in clutch situations.
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  • Profile picture of the author tarad
    Being able to find Joy, satisfaction and fulfilment in what you do is another big one.
    Love what you do, don't just jump into what you feel is achievable because other folks are doing it. Love the game, and have fun even when @ work with all the boredom, create your own positive energy and enter your own zone.

    ALWAYS STRIVE TO BEAT YOUR BEST IN EVERYTHING YOU DO! Shatter your comfort-zone! Blast it away!

    And again, to achieve a new height or to succeed at something in life is more of Responsibility... ya have to be willing to own up to your own success in life.
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  • Profile picture of the author NathanBai
    In my opinion we should be excelling b4 we are totally under pressure...
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by NathanBai View Post

      In my opinion we should be excelling b4 we are totally under pressure...
      That's a good point ... If life happens that way for you. But most times the people who excel in their field have gone through many levels of pressure to achieve that status.

      I've seldom seen anyone at the top of their field whose achieved greatness who hasn't gone through pressure.

      In fact, that's one reason others call them great. Why? Because they've gone through certain levels of pressure and come out on top. That's most peoples definition of champion, leader or legend.
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      • Profile picture of the author Carmen_Hudson
        An ability to get "in the zone" when the pressure mounts--a quality of absolute focus. Focus can help you shut out all of the "noise" that pressure provides, allowing you to just get the job done.
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        • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
          Originally Posted by Carmen_Hudson View Post

          An ability to get "in the zone" when the pressure mounts--a quality of absolute focus. Focus can help you shut out all of the "noise" that pressure provides, allowing you to just get the job done.
          That's one trait I notice champions and championship coaches mention in passing, when reporters ask them how they did it. The ability to focus, when everyone else is panicking, worrying or doubting. Champions under pressure ... are usually champions at focusing.
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  • Profile picture of the author jackprentice
    Be confident!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author dorianjohn425
    I like those people who stay confident even under pressure...Mostly, I knew of others who lost their focus and tend to quit or stomp, yell and curse the people around when pressured or intimidated.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by dorianjohn425 View Post

      I like those people who stay confident even under pressure...Mostly, I knew of others who lost their focus and tend to quit or stomp, yell and curse the people around when pressured or intimidated.
      Yes, that's a natural reaction for people who are unprepared for the pressure. Which reminds me of the saying, "Preparation relieves frustration!"
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  • Profile picture of the author DesignDevelopment
    Beer and Focus...
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben_R
    - being professional is all about being calm under pressure -
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by Ben_R View Post

      - being professional is all about being calm under pressure -
      You're right that's a challenge in itself, but it gets even trickier when you're responsible for trying to keep others calm under pressure, now that's big leaugue!
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  • Profile picture of the author turity
    thanks for good thread)
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  • Profile picture of the author stopper
    sometimes it depends on liking or loving what you do and other times it just depends on your experiences working in similar situations or simply character
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