How to Be Prepared Under Pressure
People always ask me how I prepare myself to speak in high pressure situations. After doing events for Google McDonalds, YouTube, and many other high-profile companies, I’ve learned how to manage the pressure that comes with it. Being a magician and TV host constantly doing live events, messing up was just something that I couldn’t afford to do. So throughout the fifteen-plus years that I’ve been a speaker and performer for live events, I’ve learned a lot about preparing for and handling pressure in high-stress situations. So down below are a few ways on how to be prepared under pressure, no matter the situation.
GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE
The most obvious answer is to simply get comfortable being uncomfortable. When you put yourself into uncomfortable positions often enough, eventually they become normal for you. Once you get used to it, dealing with the pressure becomes much easier and less burdensome than if you avoid the situation until the last moment. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable is the perfect way to gain confidence in the area you struggle with.
I don’t just get invited to speak at huge events because I thought about it a bit and spoke at a few events here and there. It took over ten years of experience before the biggest companies started thinking about hiring me. By intentionally going out of my way to speak in situations and events that I wasn’t perfect with already, I was able to teach myself how to do things best and handle the stress that came with being uncomfortable. Each experience teaches you something new that you can learn and apply for your next event or situation, until you have reached the level of mastery.
PRACTICE
In line with the previous point, handling pressure well comes down to practice. You don’t learn this in a single year, or sometimes even five years. You just need to constantly work this skill, just like you work your brand. Practice effective communication and selling, and when you do fall into a situation where the stakes are high, you’ll be more prepared for it than if you had neglected practicing during your spare time. People can feel your confidence, and if you walk into a situation giving off the impression that you’re scared, nervous, or fidgety, people will not be as receptive to you as you might want them to be. It’s okay to get nervous, however, you don’t want the reason for your nervousness to be because you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s better to be nervous because you’re excited for what’s to come.
RELABEL YOUR EMOTIONS
Instead of thinking of your shakiness as nervousness, think of it as excitement. If you like rollercoasters, you know how exciting it is as you wait in line and how the adrenaline runs through your body as the roller coaster climbs to the top. By getting into the habit of thinking of high-pressure situations as simply exciting events leading to something new, you’ll eventually stop being scared and start welcoming these situations into your life. Make it a fun challenge for yourself, instead of a burden.
BE PREPARED
Don’t ever just try to wing things. Doing so will just make your nerves worse, and for a legitimate reason. If you're not prepared, you won’t do as well as you have the potential to do. If you’re speaking, follow these tips to get better. If you’re doing sales calls, start roleplaying every situation that you might find yourself in. Being prepared is key to taking off the pressure of possibly failing because you did not plan ahead properly.
REMIND YOURSELF OF THE END GOAL
If you ever find yourself wanting to back out of a situation, remind yourself of your why. Why do you do what you do? What are your end goals? Remember the reason you are doing what you’re doing, and don’t let the pressure hold you back. If you don’t push forward when things are uncomfortable, you’ll never get to the top.
THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULDN’T DO:
In simple words, here is what you shouldn’t do:
Run away from stress
Get lazy and stop growing
Talk down on yourself because of your emotions
Avoidance is never the solution to a problem. If pressure is your problem, running away, getting complacent, or attacking yourself for it is not the answer.
Here is what you should do:
Be prepared
Push yourself
Stay focused on the goal
Dealing with pressure in high-stake situations is not easy, however, there are ways to prepare for it. Being nervous is something that happens to everyone, but if you learn to manage it, being on edge is something that you can learn to harness in your favor. Today, when I feel nervous, I take it as a good sign because it means I’m growing, getting clients, and doing bigger things. If you’re feeling nervous about growing your brand, bettering yourself, and getting yourself out there, that might just be your sign that it’s time to invest into yourself.
