Whether your game is athletic, financial or personal, there are moments that are challenged by pressure. So how do you stay in your power and play in your strength?

 

1. Prepare for Pressure

You already know that a stress-free life does not exist. Instead of assuming that the pressure will create distress, simply recognize that the pressure means that you care. As you prepare to succeed under pressure, the pressure loses its power to disrupt you.

 2. Change the Meaning

You are not just an animal operating in stimulus / response mode. You get to decide what every experience means to you. Instead of letting anxiety mean, “something bad might happen,” let the adrenaline signal, “Woo hoo! I’m alive and this is FUN!”

 3. Ask Better Questions

When your symptoms of anxiety show up, here’s what NOT to ask:

“What is wrong with me? Why does this always happen?”

Instead, acknowledge the emotion and then ask an empowering question like,

“So, I feel a little pressure, but why do I feel so great?”

Your mind and body will get to work discovering reasons why you feel and perform greatly.

 4. Stay in the Present Moment

When we become afraid or anxious, it’s often because we are focused on a future dread or a past mistake. Your power to enjoy yourself though, rests in the moment at hand. Engage all of your senses with passion and pleasure. You’ll find time slowing down and you will execute your game more joyfully.

 5. Enjoy the Process with No Attachment to Outcome

Frustration takes over when we try to control things beyond our power – like a specific outcome. Freedom reigns when let go of the outcome and just enjoy the process. Do your part well, and eventually the outcome will take care of itself. The Game Knows.

 6. Focus on What You Love About Your Game

The Bible says, “Perfect love drives out fear.” This is true in life, in love and in sport as well. Anxiety melts away when we engage with all we love about the moment. Enjoy the sights, the sounds, the sensations, and with a smile, ask yourself,

“Why do I love it here?”

 7. Release Your Painful Memories

If your undesireable memories are still flashing in your mind, recognize that they have power to dissolve them. Take a deep breath and speak to those images saying,

“For any undesireable memories, I release them and I let them go.”

Then picture their energy washing away as if you were in a shower.

 8. Strengthen Your Best Memories

After letting go of unhappy memories, strengthen the power of your best experiences. Let the images of your best moments become bigger and brighter and more vibrant until you feel fabulous. Then say,

“All of my best memories are stored in my body.”

Be specific about any performance you’d like to see repeated, like a great hit in your favorite baseball game or practice. Pile on the good memories! The more the better.

 Remember that you are a million times bigger than your game. This is just a piece of your life and it was given to you for your pleasure. If you choose to play with passion and purpose then you can’t ultimately be defeated.

 Sure, anxiety may raise its head, but it’s just your body’s way of keeping you safe. Once you acknowledge the pressure and acknowledge your safety, you are free to play hard and enjoy your game.

 

You’ve got this!

 

I believe in you.

 

-Gina

 

What tips do you have for playing to win under pressure? Please comment below.