Dane Jenson on the Power of Pressure
With host, Erick Fisher on a Podcast 11-8-21 – Beyond the To Do List Program
Pressure isn’t the problem it’s the solution. Everyone has pressure on them… it’s universal
What is the most pressure you have ever faced? It covers a wide range of issues/experiences/emotions. It is our response to a situation. Different people will have different reactions to the same situation. Some might be excited about sky diving while others will be terrified.
Consider these characteristics of perceived pressure:
Importance – does it really matter?
Uncertainty – is the outcome certain?
Volume – the sheer number of tasks/situations we face
Many small tasks even unimportant ones can create a sense of pressure (if there sufficient volume). It can pull us away from important things. We have “too many balls we are trying to keep in the air”.
Peak pressure vs the Grind. Peak pressure is one very significant/important task while grind refers to checking off one after another over and over.
Uncertainty can creep in with an increasing volume of tasks. As pressure rises, our focus narrows and we absorb less information. It can be hard to see past the walls or attention that rises as more an more appears on our “plate”. We begin to fear other stuff “outside” that we can’t take care off. We think what about this or that…
Being in a flow state is good, but we need other things to be addressed so we don’t forget them. Otherwise, we will worry about extraneous stuff. Productive focus includes a strategy on what to do. Focus put upon us because we have to (‘cause the boss said so)… so we begin to ignore things that could be very important and only pay attention to what is right in front of us. We start to ignore, health, family, relationships or other valuable things.
How do we learn to thrive in both situations? We shouldn’t let the default response dominate us.
Pressure is a form of energy. We can learn to channel the energy productively. Recognize the discomfort it sometimes makes on us but make it your ally. How do we relate to what’s happening? Remember to think of the Importance, Uncertainty, and Volume. In Peak pressure, it’s the anticipation that we need to deal with. How do we frame the physical sensations like sweaty palms, need to answer nature’s call, trembling, etc. Just interpret the feelings; they are natural.
Toggles:
Importance – we won’t feel much pressure if it’s not important. In the Grind, we need to have a clear line of sight as to why it’s important or worth it. The meaning needs to be clear. Is this going to help me? Connect with the meaning.
Peak pressure – we fixate on the task. Need to put importance away. Other things matter too. At the end of the day, we still have a life, no matter what happens (in almost all cases). This attitude will free you up. Keep things in perspective and balance seeing what is important.
Uncertainty – things close in. We retreat, and we can’t learn. Build certainty as quickly as you can. Ask yourself, what can I control in this situation? Use a routine to help reduce uncertainty. Work to put yourself in a place where you can embrace uncertainty over the long haul. An attitude that things will work out after all helps. If we default to ACT, ACT, ACT as our mantra, we will eventually feel overcome and burned out. Come to terms with what we can’t control. We can’t react to everything that comes our way. Take a break – laugh, have some fun, do something different.
Volume – you can’t just swat flies. If you get too efficient, you’ll just end up with more “volume”. Time management helps but it’s not the solution to pressure. If we are high performers, then we need to have our life organized so that we have sufficient rest, exercise, support, nutrition, and energy. Try to limit distractions when working. Look at the macro view and the micro view. Don’t get mired in minutia and place boundaries on what you are willing to take on. Where do you choose to focus your energy/thinking? We can only do one thing (doing it well contrary to what multi-taskers think) at a time. Try to consciously direct your attention on things that are important. You can’t do it all. Work on the things that will produce results.