"At the core of success in sports and business is the ability to continually raise performance to higher levels."
"The central focus is on goals and standards that move onward and upward resulting in a never-ending search for new ways of achieving targets that at times seem out of reach."
"Even during tough times, real leaders make sure thier focus is on the longer term because they are very aware that good times will return; they need to be equipped and prepared to take advantage when those times come."
"Challenge is about moving people out of their comfort zone and opening them to experiences that will test and develop their capabilties."
"Much of the pressure you experience in the workplace will come from others expectations of you, but this is often exacerbated by heaping even greater expectations on yourself."
"Maintain belief in yourself when doubts are gnawing away at you."
"Find ways of motivating yourself when you are struggling to keep going."
"Mental toughness can be developed."
"Most stress is self-imposed."
"The basic choice you have is between viewing the pressure as either positive in terms of providing an opportunity for you to thrive, or negative in that it poses a threat that results in stress and feeling anxious."
"The negative response to pressure is stress."
"Abdominal breathing is an effective tool for dealing with the physical symptoms of stress."
"If you think you will perform well you often will; if you think you will perform badly you always will!"
"Like any action plan, it will only be as good as what you do with it."
"Challenge your assumptions about what is possible."
"However ordinary each of us may seem, we are all in some way special and can do things that are extraordinary, perhaps until then even thought impossible."
"Self-esteem is a way of thinking and feeling that implies you accept, respect, and trust yourself."
Written by Graham Jones
Thrive
on Pressure: Lead and Succeed When Times Get Tough
