1. Practice under pressure. Practice makes
perfect, but not if you're practicing under circumstances that differ from the
ones you'll experience when it matters.
2. Promote self-worth. You don't have to
use positive affirmations to reaffirm and promote self-worth. Calling to mind
your many interests and experiences can boost your level of confidence and, as
a result, your performance when the going gets tough.
3. Change your perception. What can feel
like the most important moment of your life, the center of the universe, and
focal point of everyone in attendance, is merely a blip in the grand scheme of
life. Pressures are perceived; reframing the situation provides context that
can greatly improve performance.
4. Divert stress. Fixating on an upcoming
performance can invite stress and worry which ultimately distracts you from the
task at hand. Combat it by employing a few easy exercises beforehand. Counting
backward or singing a song will prevent you from succumbing to stress, freeing
up the brainpower needed to nail it.
5. Take a breath. Taking a deep breath and
clearing your mind is a productive alternative to stumbling through a
presentation or problem you're working on. Pausing not only allows you to
absorb the information needed to succeed, it also replenishes your brain's
supply of glucose, which aids in performance.