Simon Sinek on Training Your Mind to Perform Under Pressure

In Chapter 14 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and public speaker Simon Sinek answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Sinek notes how performing under pressure is the same for him as it is for anyone else - meeting deadlines, hitting financial goals, etc. Olympic athletes teach him how it is possible to interpret stimuli that pressure brings as excitement and not nervousness. This positive interpretation of pressure helps Sinek embrace the moment as a public speaker and be at his best on stage. Simon Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. Sinek is the author of two books, "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Come Together and Others Don't" and "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action". He is a public speaker, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a Brandeis University graduate.

Capture Your Flag is a career documentary interview series that interviews 60 up and coming leaders annually to gather knowledge and share a Near Peer Learning experience its audience may use to better plan, pursue and achieve life and career aspirations.

[bartjandebruijn]

It reminds me of a piece of advice I read recently: "I've trained myself to turn feelings of fear into 'courage time'. So whenever I experience symptoms of fear or anxiety, I tell my body that those are signs of when it's time to be courageous. After a while that becomes automatic". I've tried it and it's pretty awesome!

[KevinMcLaren]

I call my bad days “character days”. When I wake up and I just don’t want to do the things I have to do I just say “I’m going to do all the things I have to do and I’m going to build my character today at the same time.”

[albertfoo]

A clear description of how to switch from flight to fight mode!

[brianstone]

I have found from having to make life and death decisions under pressure from a young age, that 2 things are really critical: What we focus on and what time frame we operate from. When the focus is completely on the performance of the skill/activity and it is combined with a focus on what will happen five minutes after the task is completed, there is no room left for crippling fear or anxiety. Performing at a high level, even with high stress becomes completely doable.

[austinwachira]

Brilliant! Needed to hear this, Thank You.

[ThumbsUpMike]

That's a fascinating perception, I gotta keep this in mind, cuz I have "nerves" all the time.

[JACOPO.OFFICIEL]

Yeah I never compared stress to excitement but indeed thay have many similarities, thanks for posting ! 👍👍👍

[sakshichaurasia]

I am preparing for civil services examination, it does involve a lot of pressure management. THis video has given me a new perspective and i am gonna follow it. I am gonna make sure its excitement for me rather than nervousness. Hoping for the best!
thankyou!

[danieldennehy]

I have basketball tryouts tomorrow. Guess I’m very

[mishell]

This is life changing information. It's...EXCITING🤓👍

[FutureGrowAcademy]

9 Ways To Deal with High-Pressure Situations-

1. Understand Your Cutoff
2. Identify Your Triggers
3. Focus On The Task, Not The Result
4. Don’t Try To Avoid Pressure
5. Establish A Prioritization Plan
6. Break Down Your Tasks
7. Don’t Procrastinate
8. Change Your Outlook About Pressure
9. Try Mindfulness Practice

[kushalniraula]

Wow... So... I am always excited....
My exam is the day after tomorrow and I am really excited about

[aimtorise]

This is excitement, I like that. Appreciated.

[saiism]

I am excited 😀😀😀 not nervous . Interesting point of

[DesignsPictures]

I have 3 exams back to back..and i'm really excited about it.

[qrnykjc]

Excited about positive expectation, while nervous about uncertainty or negative outcome

[lovethyneighbor]

the power of the human brain is truly phenomenal

[TrueMG]

Old video but still recommended as I searched for my answer. And I believe there's truth to it. I recently practice "positive thinking" (aka "I like that") when any inconvenient obstacle hit me. Suddenly it doesn't feel bad, even tho it's so simple.

And this method here of "This is exciting" is exactly the same, I just never thought about it this way. I'll add that to my repertoire. Thanks!

[Death__]

lol .. I do the same thing and it did worked great for me from past 1 year.😊

[fitonation]

To those who like this video, I highly recommend that you read the book, "Upside of Stress" by Kelly Mcgonigal..which gives lot of scientific evidence which proves what Sinek is saying to be true and much nore