Many of us believe that we perform at our best when the conditions and circumstances are “just right”. We’re in our comfort zone, we’re on our second or third (or fourth) cup of coffee, and the wi-fi is flowing like fine wine. (Or something like that.)
But that’s not true. It’s an illusion. We think that is what we need to be our best – and we make excuses about those factors not being present all the time. But the fact is, humans perform much better when the squeeze is on and the pressure is high.
Don’t believe me? Watch a sporting event, particularly championship games.
Athletes play their very best when their competition is the toughest. Players always seem to find that higher gear, that next level, when they need it most. And that doesn’t happen during practice or when facing less adequate opponents.
It happens when facing the most formidable foes. It happens when the circumstances are more demanding, the risks are more consequential, and the threat of defeat is brutal and final.
On the surface it doesn’t make sense, because we believe that we’d be able to put our best effort out when the conditions are “perfect”, not when someone is breathing down our neck.
But you’ve probably also heard people say, “I perform better under pressure.”
And you know what? They’re right. We all do.
But why is that?
Well, there are probably countless reasons, but today we focus on three that will make a huge difference in the way we approach work and life.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
1. Pressure Creates Focus
Picture this: the game’s tied with one point six seconds on the clock. The player doesn’t think about dinner or what he’s going to watch when he gets home, or even how he will celebrate if they win the game. It’s just the ball, the basket, and the moment. Complete and utter focus. Everything else disappears.
Well, that’s just great, Mr. Shortcut Man, but I’m not a superstar athlete and I’m not in a championship game. What does this have to do with me?
Glad you asked.
You don’t have to be a superstar athlete or be in a win-or-go-home moment, but you can force focus by creating a pressure situation. If you want to perform at your best, surround yourself with constraints:
- Establish 30-minute deadlines.
- Turn off your phone or put it in another room.
- No multitasking.
- Close all other tabs and apps offering no space to wander, gaze, or relax.
Basically, kill the options. Pure pressure, full focus.
After your 30-minute deadline, go ahead and reward yourself with something you enjoy. Then get ready for another 30-minute deadline.
2. Adversity Unlocks Reserves
Have you ever noticed how we don’t discover what we’re really capable of until we’re backed into a corner? We’ve all heard the story of the mother who lifts a car to save her child. (Sounds fake, but it’s absolutely true – look up the 1982 Cavallo Case after this coaching session.)
Scientists call this “hysterical strength”. (Misogynistic? Yes. Absolutely amazing? Also, yes!)
In sports, athletes call this need for more strength “gut check time.” The brain says, “I’m done,” but the body says, “Oh no we’re not!” And somehow, there’s one more sprint, one more push, one more play.
And this isn’t just anecdotal storytelling, science backs this up. Research shows that we typically quit at about 40% of our true capacity. 40%! That’s it! Our brains wave the white flag way before our bodies are actually finished.
That’s because our brains live in survival mode. Our brains are very careful and very conservative with our energy output. They do not want to be left out in the field without a way to get home safely.
But adversity forces us into utilizing some of that 60% reserve. As we’ve just learned, we’ve always got more in the tank. And we can trick our brains into giving us access to it. Here’s how.
Stop babying yourself with only easy wins. Growth doesn’t come from the comfort zone. It comes from controlled adversity — those situations where you might stumble, but you’re forced to stretch to reach that new plateau.
So, how can you introduce controlled adversity?
- Take on the client who intimidates you.
- Volunteer for the messy project no one else wants.
- Put yourself in the room where your imposter syndrome shows up — and then show it who’s boss.
That’s how you build your “reserve muscle.” The more you push against adversity, the easier it is to access your reserve tank. And every time you do that, you rewire your brain to go further next time.
Adversity is not the enemy. It’s the invitation.
3. High Stakes Ignite Meaning
Why do athletes rise to the occasion in championships when they are playing their toughest opponents? Because it matters. It’s no longer about individual stats and it’s not about the scoreboard. It’s about what the game represents in that moment — the history, the legacy. That deep, lasting meaning fuels an energy that cannot be faked.
Now here’s the interesting part. Like those athletes, we don’t perform better because of the difficulty. We perform better because the difficulty imposes importance into the moment. The challenge isn’t just hard — it’s consequential. It’s all or nothing.
Now, this may sound like hyperbole, but is it?
On the playing field in a championship game, it really is all or nothing. Win or go home. Raise the trophy or pack your bags.
But what about at work or in life? Is the contrast really that stark?
Well… sometimes. A botched project can tank your credibility. A missed opportunity can alter your career. But most days? No, it’s not literally all or nothing. And that’s exactly the problem. Because when it doesn’t feel urgent or important, we coast.
And I know if you’re a regular listener, you do not coast.
Earlier you learned how to force your focus by reducing distractions. You also learned how to create a bit of adversity to access your reserve. But imagine what you could do if you decided, right now, it was all or nothing — even when it’s not.
Here are a few ways to generate those conditions:
- Attach the task to a bigger why. Answer this: Who benefits if I nail this? Who pays if I don’t? Suddenly, that email you don’t want to write isn’t just sending words, it’s about building trust, protecting reputation, or creating opportunity.
- Set artificial stakes. Deadlines, public commitments, accountability partners — all of these raise the tension just enough to make it matter. And if no one’s watching, pretend they are. (Because deep inside, we do think everyone is watching, even if they’re not.)
- Play for legacy, not just points. When you see every action as a brick in the story you’re building — your leadership, your reputation, your life — even small moves take on championship weight.
Do these things and you’ll put yourself into a peak performance mindset.
Now, here’s the hilarious twist: you’re not really creating “better conditions.” You’re creating worse ones… on purpose! You’re turning everyday routines into high stakes opportunities. You’re rattling your comfort zone by introducing stress. You’re taking away your soothing diversions to force more intense focus.
Sounds crazy, but the outcomes are real.
So, how will you create focus before circumstances force it? How will you stretch yourself into new reserves instead of waiting for adversity? And how will you raise the stakes by connecting your work to what matters most?
None of this is easy. And that’s the point. We don’t perform our best when we’re comfortable. We perform best when the pressure is up, the room is hot, and the stakes are high.
- Cultivate focus before the chaos demands it.
- Push your limits to find hidden reserves.
- Amp up your “why” so even the small stuff matters.
Don’t wait for the big moment. Do what champions do, make every moment a big moment!