Thriving under pressure requires a combination of mental, emotional, physical, and social support. By taking care of yourself in all these areas, you can develop the resilience you need to withstand stress and come out stronger on the other side. In this article, I will share some thoughts about tackling adversity, managing your mindset, surveying your habits, and practicing positive practice strategies for thriving under pressure and going way beyond what you originally thought was possible. I’ve included links to other resources below. Before I dive into the specific ways to thrive under pressure, I’d like to cover four basic areas that influence or determine your overall well-being and ability to reach your full potential.
Adversity and benefits—since when do those two words co-exist? For most, adversity is not a welcome word, and why should it be? After all, we’re human, and humans are wired to avoid pain and pursue pleasure—and adversity is directly associated with pain. There’s a silver lining to adversity that is critical to know. It’s the confidence you gain from overcoming it that can’t be earned any other way. Read more in The Advantage of Adversity.
We will all face adversity throughout our lives; the trick is not to fear it, but to learn from it. And to do this, you must create habits that enable you to keep your mind open to learning new things and remain positive so the storm never gets the better of you. I understand how important it is to keep your mindset positive. I’m not talking about being a cheerleader, although sometimes I find that useful. I’m talking about having a mindset of always looking for the positive, for what you can learn, in whatever you face. Learn more about Mindset Training.
Habits, both the good ones and the bad ones, are nothing more than a sequence of actions that your brain has decided to execute. These habits make up many of the actions you take on any given day. The trick is to identify which habits are preventing you from succeeding and modify them so they no longer get in your way. It’s important that you understand that actions are the building blocks of habits, and you’re in control of your actions and therefore of your habits.
The most challenging storms you’ll face are the ones that occur between your ears—in your mind. In Positive practice strategies, I speak about how to do the three Ps of practicing positive. I don’t believe you’re just born with a positive gene—I do believe it’s your choice. It will not happen all at once and you’ll make little mistakes and you’ll fall, but that’s fine. Get up, every morning—it’s a reset—do it again.
Having reviewed the four basic areas that influence or determine your overall well-being and ability to reach your full potential, here are ten specific ways to thrive under pressure:
1. Understand your “why.” Knowing the reason behind your goal is the fuel that will keep you going when everyone else tells you to quit. Understanding your “why” is your perseverance engine—it keeps you going even when YOU think you can’t.
2. Visualize yourself succeeding. When you’re facing a challenging situation, it can be helpful to picture yourself coming out on top. See yourself confidently handling the situation and achieving your goals. This visualization exercise can help increase your self-belief and motivation.
3. Stay positive and focused. It’s normal to feel some anxiety when you’re under pressure, but it’s important to keep your thoughts and emotions in check. Stay positive and focused on what you need to do, and don’t dwell on negative thoughts. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you can handle this.
4. Anticipate obstacles and develop a plan to overcome them. When you’re preparing for a situation, think about what could go wrong and how you would deal with it. This way, you’ll be less likely to be caught off guard if something does go wrong.
5. Break down your goals into manageable steps. When you’re trying to achieve a goal, it can be helpful to break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will make the goal seem less daunting.
6. Develop a support network of family and friends. When you’re under pressure, it’s important to have people you can rely on for support. Talk to your family and friends about what you’re going through, and let them know how they can help you.
7. Exercise regularly to release tension and improve your mood. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and boost your mood. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a brisk walk, go for a run, or do some other form of exercise to let off some steam.
8. Eat healthy foods to maintain energy levels and clear thinking. What you eat can have a big impact on your mood and energy levels. When you’re feeling stressed, make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Avoid sugary and processed foods, which can make you feel worse.
9. Get enough sleep to restore your body and keep your mind sharp. Sleep is essential for good physical and mental health. When you’re under pressure, make sure to get enough rest so you can function at your best.
10. Make time for leisure activities and hobbies to relax and de-stress. It’s important to have hobbies and activities that you enjoy outside of work or school. These can help you relax and de-stress, and they can give you a much-needed break from the pressure you’re under.
Pressure is an inevitable part of life, and I consider pressure to be a privilege! But, with the right tools in your toolkit, you can thrive under pressure and accomplish more than you originally dreamed possible. Check out our Resources and Courses sections for more information on developing your resilience, improving your overall well-being, and reaching your full potential. And don’t forget to sign up for our free monthly newsletter to get regular tips, inspiration, and advice delivered straight to your inbox.