🏆 Pressure is a Privilege

How do you handle pressure? Do your players over-think in pressure situations?

Author

Greg Berge
February 15, 2024

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Here's what's coming:

  • Pressure is a Privilege 🏆

  • Brent Venables on commitment 🥇

  • Peyton on pressure 🆇

  • Read Time ~ 4 minutes.

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🔗 LINKS OF THE WEEK

🎥 Video: How to easily handle Pressure in Sport by Sam Martin - Peak Performance.

🎙️ Podcast: Coach Collins and I discuss the importance of Defining Team Roles on our weekly leadership podcast.

📖 On the Web: Does Pressure Affect Performance in Sports? by Peak Performance Sports

📙 FREE Resource of the Week: 101 Coaching Phrases. Download it here for free!

💭 ONE THOUGHT
🏆 Pressure is a Privilege

What is pressure?

I believe pressure is man-made. It is created by the factors we allow from the outside world that influence our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

What do you think?

  • Is pressure a positive thing or a negative thing?

  • Does pressure hurt a person or athlete?

  • Is pressure man-made?

  • Is pressure a privilege?

Most people are taught at a young age that stress is not good for us or that we should always feel comfortable.

This is not reality. What really matters is how we manage this stress and having the proper mindset and attitude about it.

Why?

Because, more often than not, pressure is the Birthplace of Excellence.

Think about pressure in nature and what it creates…

  • Diamonds come from incredible pressure.

  • Muscles grow from pressure put on them.

  • Wine comes from grapes put under pressure.

  • The water must be broken from pressure for a baby to be born.

Pressure creates beautiful things. And it can do so in sports as well.

If we allow it.

Pressure is a mindset, and your approach to pressure matters.

I view pressure as a privilege.

It is an opportunity for us that has been created due to the hard work that has put us in a unique position.

Pressure is Earned!

I love these quotes from Chuck Noll and Michael Jordan on pressure.

“Pressure is something you feel when you don’t know what you are doing.”

Chuck Noll

“If you have doubt or concern about a shot or feel the 'pressure' of that shot, it's because you haven't practiced it enough.”

Michael Jordan

Pressure is a privilege that comes from preparation, experience, and opportunity.

Believe it and trust it.

Jill Ellis, the ex-coach of the US Women's Soccer team, has some valuable insights on dealing with pressure. She believes that as leaders, players, and coaches, it is vital to have faith in yourself and acknowledge that your current position results from your hard work, dedication, and past experiences. So, trust yourself! Watch her video on ‘How to Handle Pressure’ here.

So, how do we get to this point where we view pressure as a privilege?

I believe there are steps we can all take to get there.

5 steps to help us create a “Pressure is a Privilege” Mindset:

  1. Embrace the Moment: Your most important step is to believe the pressure is a good thing. It is an attitude and a mindset. Know that your work, experience, and opportunity have provided this. You have EARNED this opportunity.

  2. Downsize the Importance: Do not put this undue pressure on yourself. Live in the present and keep your focus on the moment. Remind yourself that this is just like practice. You have done things like this thousands of times. It is no different.

  3. Control the Controllable: Remember that you can only control what you can control, and that is your attitude, mindset, training, and effort. Trust your training and know you are ready for the moment.

  4. Breathe: This helps you stay in the present and ignore the noise.

  5. Trust the Process: The process is always the prize. This moment in time is going to be one of many. Believe that it is part of the process to greatness.

Summary:

Pressure is something we put on ourselves. It is all about the thoughts we allow in our heads at a specific moment.

Our mindset and approach to pressure are what matters most.

Make pressure a positive thing. Have a “Pressure is a Privilege” approach to life, and watch yourself and your team excel!

Good Luck!

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📜 TWO QUOTES

"You have to pay full price ... That's what commitment looks like. It's not when it's easy or convenient. It's when things are hard and things aren't going well."

- Brent Venables

"Be the Coach and Teacher that you want your child to have the experience of playing for one day."

- Author Unknown

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