How often do you work under pressure? It could be an important presentation coming up, a final exam that could determine your scholarship, or a once-in-a-lifetime competition around the corner. Do you panic when the time comes and tries to cram everything in your brain last minute? Then you realize you can’t focus your attention because you put yourself under too much pressure.
Don’t worry. I’m sure this happens to the majority of us. And the best part is, no matter how much pressure you’re under, these 3 steps can help you stay focused and perform in your best possible condition.
Step 1: Breathe
As cliché as it sounds, the first advice will always be to take a deep breath. By giving yourself time to slow down your breathing, you’re also calming your mind and allowing it to think broader and clearer. Make sure your exhale is longer than your inhale. Once you’ve reset your pace, you can move on to the next step.
Exercise: Try to imagine 3 birthday candles, all lit up and sitting in front of you. Now inhale and exhale as you blow out the candles one by one.
Step 2: Visualize
Now close your eyes and visualize yourself in the best-case scenario. If you’ve got a competition coming up, visualize yourself holding up the trophy and the crowd cheering for you. Play out your victory in your head and notice the details. What was present and what wasn’t?
Sometimes, our mind is what limits us from achieving greater heights. That’s why it’s so crucial to build up self-confidence and remind yourself that you can succeed. And the best way to boost your confidence when under pressure is to visualize your win.
Step 3: Trust
Have you noticed how we tend to get nervous when we’re under pressure? Even if you’ve practiced the same routine 100 times and never once messed up, you’d still worry and feel nervous before the real thing. This is because we feel the need to perform better than usual or give our limits one last push.
We eat, sleep, and use the bathroom every day, but nobody gets nervous about this. If you’ve been honing your skills at every chance you get, then all you have left to do is trust. Trust yourself and trust the time you’ve spent preparing for the moment. You can do this!
To Conclude
Always start your routine by slowing down your pace and breathe. Once your mind starts to calm itself, bring it to your best-case scenario. Think about your victory and boost your self-confidence. When you’re in the right mindset, remind yourself to trust your process and the effort you’ve put. Focusing under pressure won’t be a problem anymore with these 3 simple steps!