When the Pressure's On

Kick-Off

National Football League kicker Billy Cundiff played for five different teams after the Atlanta Falcons released him from his contract in 2007. Though he was physically prepared, his mental state kept causing him to miss critical field goals. Learning how to set goals, manage stress and redirect his thinking enabled Cundiff to reach his potential. He made it into the 2010 Pro Bowl.

Business executives also experience high levels of stress that inhibit their decision-making and problem-solving abilities in crucial situations. Workplace staff reductions often fling people into roles and responsibilities for which they are not trained or prepared. Nonstop technological connectivity blurs the line between personal and work time. Today’s “discontinuous change” – that is, change you may not anticipate or be able to control – may catch you off guard. But, with training and mindfulness, you can improve how you respond to stress so that you perform well in spite of the pressure.

To manage your workplace or personal stress, incorporate recent neuroscience findings into your daily routines. Exercising mental strength helps you gain confidence in your abilities, ...