Give yourself one more chance when under pressure

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. She raised a glass of water and asked: "How heavy is this glass?"

Answers ranged from a half-pound to a pound and a half.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued: "The pressure and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer, and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed, incapable of doing anything."

Pressure: The very word strikes fear in many people. Winners thrive on pressure while losers fear it. Pressure is an attitude. It's 10% of what is happening and 90% of how you handle it.

What constitutes pressure? My definition is when you absolutely must do something that you are not totally prepared to do. If you must kick a field goal to win a big football game and you aren't prepared, you are going to be nervous. You're going to feel pressure. When pressure takes you beyond your ability, it can control you. 

But if you've really prepared for it, you can't wait to show people how good you are. That's why winners look forward to pressure. It brings out their best. People who welcome pressure are more successful.

Many of us live and work in such hectic and pressure-ridden environments that it's wise to remember the words of the psychiatrist who said to his secretary as she was trying to answer two telephones at once: "Miss Smith, just say we're terribly busy — not 'It's a madhouse here.'"

Dealing with pressure at work, especially when it comes from multiple sources, can be challenging. Here are some strategies that might help.

Prioritize and organize — Start by listing all your tasks and responsibilities. This will give you a clear overview of what needs to be done. Prioritize your tasks and categorize them by urgency and importance. Focus on high-priority tasks first.

Time management — Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps with their own deadlines. Allocate specific time slots for focused work and try to minimize distractions during these periods.

Communication — If you're feeling overwhelmed, communicate with your manager or team. They might be able to help redistribute the workload or adjust deadlines. Regular feedback can help you align your priorities with your team's expectations and reduce unnecessary pressure.

Stress management techniques — Short breaks can help you recharge and maintain productivity throughout the day. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation or short walks can help reduce stress levels.

Build a support network — Collaborate with co-workers and share the load when possible. A mentor can provide guidance and perspective, helping you navigate challenging situations.

Develop resilience — When problems arise, shift your focus from the problem to potential solutions. Reflect on past experiences to identify what strategies worked and what didn't.

Pressure is part of any job, but it's how you manage it that defines your success. Prioritize, communicate and take care of yourself to thrive under pressure.

Here's a final story to illustrate my point. In a small town, there lived a young woman named Emma who had always dreamed of running a marathon. She trained diligently, balancing her work, family and running schedule. As the marathon day approached, Emma felt the pressure mounting. Doubts crept in, and she worried about her ability to finish the race.

On the morning of the marathon, Emma's best friend handed her a small note that read, "Run your own race." Inspired by these words, Emma decided to focus on her own pace rather than comparing herself to others. She broke the race into smaller, manageable segments and celebrated each milestone she achieved.

As Emma crossed the finish line, she realized that by managing her pressure and focusing on her journey, she had not only completed the marathon but also learned a valuable lesson about resilience and self-belief.

Mackay's Moral: Manage pressure by setting your pace and celebrating your progress, one step at a time.

• • •

Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing [email protected] or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.