5 Ways to Stay Confident Under Pressure
Most of us deal with pressure on a daily basis, and some of us deal with it better than others. Daily factors in your work and personal lives can put a large amount of pressure on you, and by the end of the week all you may want to do is curl up in your bed in your favourite pyjama set and forget about the week that was.
While you can't always avoid external pressures, you can do something to manage them. By staying confident and calm under pressure you are able to focus all your efforts on the task at hand making you more productive. With your mind at ease you can communicate better, stay more organised, and get through the day without a breaking down and curling up into a ball. Staying confident under pressure ensures you don't stress as easily and impact your health and well-being.
Tip #1 Believe in yourself
I know this may sound so predictable and cliche, but it truly does make a difference. I often find that coming up with a simple mantra or affirmation that you can repeat to yourself can make a big difference. Say the mantra out loud when you first wake up in the morning, and at night when you go to bed. Use it as an added boost throughout the day when a situation arises and you are feeling the pressure. Your mantra will be unique to you and could be as simple as "Let [insert your name] be [insert your name]", "Keep your head up and your heart open", or "I have all that I need to make this a great day of my life".
Tip #2 Be your own self-motivator
Think about the situation as though you were an outsider who isn't involved. What would your partner, mother, best friend, or sibling say to you? We find it so easy to give other people advice, but when we find ourselves in an uncomfortable situation we often don't listen to ourselves. You know your strengths, what you have done to prepare, what you are capable of, and you often know exactly what has to be done. So don't second guess yourself and go for it with confidence!
Tip #3 Take a Breath and Reflect
Take a step back, take a deep breath in, and review the situation. Why are you feeling under pressure? Are you unprepared, feel as though you haven't done a good enough job, or perhaps you are just running out of time. Think about what is causing your pressure and find a way to solve it. If you are running out of time, ask someone to help. If you cannot find anyone who can help then get someone to help with other things that can give you more time such as cooking you dinner or completing daily tasks. If you just think you haven't done a good enough job and are worried about the response you will get, why not ask for an unbiased opinion. Ask someone who isn't just going to tell you how wonderful you are, but someone who isn't afraid to tell the truth. Hopefully by getting someone else to tell you that you have done a great job, you will have the confidence to believe it.
Tip #4 Stand up straight, raise your head, and wear something you feel amazing in.
Your body often reflects your mood and vice versa. If you are feeling worried and anxious you are likely to be slumped over with your head down with a worried expression on your face. You can make yourself feel more confident with something as simple as sitting up straight, lifting your chin up high, and removing those frown lines. Wear something that you feel comfortable in, and makes you feel powerful and confident. This will give your confidence an instant boost, and your body will thank you for it.
Tip #5 Surround yourself with positive people
Surround yourself with positive people who don't make you more anxious. It is scientifically proven that surrounding yourself with positive people is likely to make you happier and less stressed. So instead of dwelling in your own anxiety and letting the pressure get to you, go hang out with some positive people to calm your nerves, de-stress, and start feeling more confident in yourself.
Do you have any tips on how to stay confident under pressure that we missed? Let us know in the comments below, or follow us on instagram @homebodii.