Do you perform better or worse under pressure?
Do you perform better or worse under pressure?
Do you perform better or worse under pressure? Most people tend to think they perform better, but chances are that you don't. Here's how you can tell.
Do you perform better or worse under pressure? Most people tend to think they perform better, but chances are that you don't.
Here's how you can tell.
One of the most important lessons I learned competing in tennis for over 14 years, including competing as a D1 collegiate athlete, is going from someone who learned to rise with pressure vs fall under it.
But I learned the hard way.
My first couple years of my collegiate career were successful with one of the best records on my team. Then came my 3rd year. I went on a 22-match losing streak. Holy &$%*! that was hard.
The more I thought about losing the more I found myself losing. The more I found myself in pressure situations, the more I thought about losing, the more I lost.
You see, the people who fall under pressure having things like this run through their minds:
"What if I lose?"
"What if I screw this up?"
"They are going to be so disappointed in me"
I wish I could tell a great story of bouncing back and redeeming myself, but I can't. My college tennis career fizzled out. But my transformation was well on its way.
As I reflected on my experiences, I had teammates who were amazing competitors. They were the type of people who would rise up to the level of pressure.
Here's the mindset of those who rise under pressure.
"This is what I've trained for"
"The pressure is the fun part"
"These are the moments I love"
My college tennis experience is a "never again" moment. I've since learned much more about myself and how much childhood trauma shaped how I deal with pressure. Now I can see things differently. My attitude and relationship with pressure is different.
Some people call this difference having a "positive mindset" vs a "negative mindset". It's so much deeper than this. It's a deep level of self-awareness, conviction, and identity. It's a visceral reaction deep down in your core.
You too can change how you respond to pressure and rise up in the face of it. I'll post about that tomorrow.
Best of all, when you transform this way, you'll be able to lead others this way and help them rise up under pressure.
What's your pressure story?