Maintaining Focus When Under Intense Pressure

Underrated superpower: staying calm in chaos. 5 research-backed strategies to master it. Last week, I was in a meeting when a leader let out an audible sigh during a tense meeting. The sigh wasn’t just a sigh. It was a signal of frustration that spread to the whole team. People disengaged, the room grew tense, and the project suffered. We’ve all been there. One sigh, one eye roll, one tense moment. And suddenly the room shifts. It’s a reminder,  even small reactions can have big consequences. Here’s the thing:  Your brain’s amygdala can hijack your body in high-stress moments, triggering fight-or-flight mode.  It overrides the rational prefrontal cortex,  making it harder to think clearly  or make good decisions. But the most successful leaders I’ve seen stay calm. Especially when things feel crazy.  Their calm inspires trust,  strengthens relationships,  and turns chaos into clarity. Want to do the same? Try these 5 proven techniques: 1️⃣ Understand Amygdala Hijack (and How to Stop It): When stress hits, the amygdala can hijack your ability to think clearly, overriding the rational prefrontal cortex and making decision-making nearly impossible. Tip: Spot the signs (racing heart, flushed face) and remind yourself, “This is a biological response—I can take control.”   2️⃣ Hack Your Nervous System with Breathwork: Slow, controlled breathing signals your brain that you’re safe. Tip: Try Box Breathing. It reduces cortisol and reactivates the rational part of your brain. 3️⃣ Ground Yourself Physically: Grounding techniques interrupt emotional overwhelm by bringing your focus to the present moment. Tip: Plant your feet firmly on the floor or lightly touch your fingers together while counting to 10. 4️⃣ Label Your Emotions: When emotions run high, naming them can create psychological distance. This practice, known as affect labeling, helps you step back from intense feelings and respond with clarity. Tip: Instead of saying, “I’m so angry,” try reframing it as, “I’m having the thought that I feel angry.” 5️⃣ Use a Mantra to Stay Centered: Mantras are a powerful way to interrupt emotional escalation. Tip: Repeat phrases like, “This will pass” or “This isn’t about me. This is about business.” Each technique works on its own, but together, they give you the tools to master any high-pressure moment. Stress is inevitable.  Chaos is inevitable.  But calm?  That’s your leadership edge. And your greatest strength. What’s your go-to strategy for staying calm? ♻️ Share this to make calm contagious. ➕ And follow me (Amy) for more.

3 Stress-Reducing Tactics Used by Fighter Pilots—That Work in ANY High-Stakes Moment 🚀 Whether you're in a boardroom, on a stage, making a game-time decision, or handling an emergency, pressure is inevitable. Losing control? That’s optional. Here’s how fighter pilots stay cool under extreme stress—and how you can, too: 1️⃣ Interrupt the Panic Loop When tension spikes, your brain locks up. Pilots wiggle their toes. Why? Because it forces your focus back to the present and stops your mind from spiraling. Try it before your next big moment. 2️⃣ Force a Micro-Pause High-pressure situations make you rush—which leads to mistakes. Instead, take one deep breath before you act. Even a half-second pause creates space for better decisions over knee-jerk reactions. 3️⃣ Default to Training, Not Emotion Under stress, instincts aren’t always right. That’s why pilots train relentlessly—to build automatic responses for critical moments. Repetition creates confidence. The more you prepare, the less pressure shakes you. 🔥 Bottom line: Stress is a given. Staying in control is a choice. Try one of these next time you’re in a high-stakes moment—then report back! 😎 👉 What’s YOUR best quick stress-reducing tactic? Drop it in the comments! #PerformanceUnderPressure #Mindset #Leadership #TheFlipside ------------------------ Hi, I’m Michelle, a former fighter pilot turned speaker and author. I help people turn fear into fuel and take bold action, improving their lives and creating higher-performing teams. 🚀 Ready to make your next event unforgettable? Let’s talk! 📩 Shoot me a DM or email and let's chat!

One thing I often share with leaders navigating high-pressure moments: your first move doesn’t have to be action — it can be a question. That simple shift can change everything. When a situation feels urgent or emotionally charged, our instinct is often to react quickly and decisively. But the truth is, most situations aren’t fully understood at the moment and reacting too quickly can make things worse. Asking a question helps shift your mindset from emotion to information. It creates space to think, gain clarity, and respond with intention, not impulse. Some examples: - What is the real need here in this situation?  - What is the greatest risk? Are any of the risks catastrophic?  - Who wins and loses based on how this situation resolves? - What led to this exact point in the crisis? It’s a small habit, but it can make a big difference in how you lead under pressure.