When the Pressure's On

Book excerpt: This book is your secret to harnessing the power of your mind and gaining the competitive edge you need! At the highest level of any pursuit, the outcome is not determined by a difference in skill, talent, or physical preparedness. When the pressure is on, and everything is on the line, the difference between the two top performers is always mental: one will hold it together and shift to a new gear, while the other succumbs to the pressure and falls short of the goal. This is true not only for physical competitions but in the business world as well. Whether you are confronting a crisis, making a pitch, negotiating a deal, or facing a deadline, your mindset can be the difference maker. In When the Pressure’s On!, sports psychologist Louis S. Csoka teaches readers how to bring peak performance principles to the boardroom, revealing five core mental skills that enable professionals to excel while under duress: Goal Setting--become mission-driven Adaptive Thinking--replace negative thoughts with positive ones Stress/Energy Management--keep your cool no matter what Attention Control--maintain focus despite distractions Imagery--see success before it happens Packed with guidelines, examples, exercises, assessments, and the latest advances in biofeedback and neuroscience, this book is your guide to success. Together, the five skills form the core of Csoka’s proven complete brain-training program shared in this invaluable resource.