Pressure to Perform

In today’s hypercompetitive world, we all face significant pressure to perform. In the business world, these pressures come in many forms, including, but not limited to, urgent project deadlines, stretch goals, sales presentations and negotiations with millions of dollars on the line, question and answer sessions with a challenging audience, tough feedback from your boss, job interviews, and the ever-increasing mantra to “do more with less.” At school, pressures can come in the form of heavy workloads, exams, and the social desire to fit in. Whether it’s a dance competition, a piano recital, or a baseball game, even our recreation is filled with pressure.

For example, the pressures I’m currently facing include these:

Navigating the interviews, research, writing, and deadlines associated with this book

Investing the 60 or more hours a week I work in my day job to make a positive difference in the lives of our customers and the people I lead

Serving as a loving husband

Acting as a positive role model to my two teenagers

Proactively managing my Type 1 diabetes to stay healthy

We are all challenged by countless high-pressure situations in our daily lives. Like Izzy, we want to perform our best when it matters most. But something happens when the pressure rises; in retrospect, we know we performed far below our capabilities.

I will soon dive into the reasons for this dreaded truth. For now, let’s just say that, in too many cases, we get in our own way and sabotage our performance. Across every profession and walk of life, failing under pressure continues to plague performers. It doesn’t need to be this way. Rick and I can help.

Think of Rick as your personal coach. He will coach you to reframe—a cognitive skill you can use to quickly and effectively equip your mind and body to perform well under pressure, anytime, anywhere.

I have two roles in this book: first, to share Rick’s and others’ wisdom in a fun, entertaining way that also gives you a behind-the-scenes look into the world of elite performers under pressure; second, to show you how I’ve applied what Rick and others have taught me to my professional and personal life. As I do so, you will see that reframing is not just for professional athletes, coaches, and CEOs. It’s for all of us.