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Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most
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Nobody performs better under pressure. Regardless of the task, pressure ruthlessly diminishes our judgment, decision-making, attention, dexterity, and performance in every professional and personal arena. In Performing Under Pressure, Drs. Hendrie Weisinger and J.P. Pawliw-Fry introduce us to the concept of pressure management, offering empirically tested short term and lo
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Start your review of Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most
🐅Thriving under pressure seems to be an acquired skill.
🌹 Takeouts 🌹:
➳Singularity distortion
➳Magnification
➳Pressure regulation
➳Cognitive appraisal & distortions
➳The Anatomy of Choking
➳Working and Procedural Memory Paradox
➳Pressure vs Stress
➳A Biological Predisposition for Intensity
Q:
When you are on the witness stand in a courtroom, everything you say is recorded, interpreted, challenged, and judged against the letter of the law. A distorted fact, a failure to remember, the truth told unconvincin ...more
🌹 Takeouts 🌹:
➳Singularity distortion
➳Magnification
➳Pressure regulation
➳Cognitive appraisal & distortions
➳The Anatomy of Choking
➳Working and Procedural Memory Paradox
➳Pressure vs Stress
➳A Biological Predisposition for Intensity
Q:
When you are on the witness stand in a courtroom, everything you say is recorded, interpreted, challenged, and judged against the letter of the law. A distorted fact, a failure to remember, the truth told unconvincin ...more
Good to know that pressure doesn't help performance, but this book was 75% too long.
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Another great book in the same vein as Mindset, Thinking Fast... Thinking Slow, and others on how your brain works and how you can optimize how you think and how you act.
The author goes through many tips on how to work better under pressure. Things like taking a deep breath, thinking of past achievements, and focus. After the many tips, the author talks about the 4 key personality traits of being able to deal with pressure situations that are basically core to you: confidence, enthusiasm, tenaci ...more
The author goes through many tips on how to work better under pressure. Things like taking a deep breath, thinking of past achievements, and focus. After the many tips, the author talks about the 4 key personality traits of being able to deal with pressure situations that are basically core to you: confidence, enthusiasm, tenaci ...more
This was very appropriate for my current situation at work. It has a couple of nice practical tips on how to best handle pressure and why it does what it does.
I am yet to practice these and evaluate them in real life, but on paper it mostly makes sense.
Generally speaking though, it's a good read for anyone who might face pressure (a.k.a everyone). ...more
I am yet to practice these and evaluate them in real life, but on paper it mostly makes sense.
Generally speaking though, it's a good read for anyone who might face pressure (a.k.a everyone). ...more
Life is full of pressure and we are all expected to attempt to perform like champions in high pressure situations. This book is extremely validating as it provides a ton of research and examples of how it is NOT realistic for anyone (not even professional athletes or famous celebrities or politicians) to perform perfectly or like super humans under pressure. It isn't necessarily a cover to cover beach read but more of an incredible resource for understanding how our minds and bodies react to pre
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I am thankful for the market because the value in this book exceeds its price.
That said, I won the book in an 800-CEO-Read give-away. I would have bought it anyway.
Looking at the title one might think he or she has to be a CEO or high level athlete to benefit from reading Performing Under Pressure. Not so. Plain and simple, this book is about enhancing human performance. If you're human there's a lot to be gained here.
With evidence-based as its foundation, the authors begin with a thorough trea ...more
That said, I won the book in an 800-CEO-Read give-away. I would have bought it anyway.
Looking at the title one might think he or she has to be a CEO or high level athlete to benefit from reading Performing Under Pressure. Not so. Plain and simple, this book is about enhancing human performance. If you're human there's a lot to be gained here.
With evidence-based as its foundation, the authors begin with a thorough trea ...more
This book was really eye opening and impactful. The research they share about the myth of "clutch hitters" and how even the best athletes really do not perform better under pressure was a relief to hear. You mean - I am not weak if I can't manage to be my best self all the time? The tools are fantastic to help with difficult moments. The stories were so relatable and I enjoyed sharing what I learned with my family and friends. I wish they taught these skills to young children in school - maybe w
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Solid and to-the-point advice on how to perform our best when under pressure. Prior to reading this I had the misconception that I did perform well under pressure and that there are people who thrive on pressure. The insight from reading this is that being under pressure is not ideal and no one does well in that state, it limits our capacity to do our best work. The strategies offered in this book by Hendrie Weisinger are to help us manage ourselves in what we perceive as pressure situations. En
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I am not sure where to start! This book is exactly what I needed to read in order to understand how to deal with all of the pressure that is going on in my life right now. New promotion, renovations, last child headed off to school, aging parents...you name it, the pressure is on! This book gave me the knowledge to help me to deal with everything that is coming at me.
Quick read. Good examples, some new, many from other sources. I would recommend this book. In a nutshell, we don't perform better under pressure. We need ways to deal with stress and pressure and need to have some optimism.
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I really enjoyed this book! It helped fuel my runs this week. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to handle stress and pressure better.
I personally liked the book. It is good to help understand how to perform during some critical moments, how to accept pressure and how it can affect your thinking and performance. Most of the examples are based on sports, but it is still applicable in all fields of work or study where high performance is expected.
For me personally, the book helps to understand what is pressure. Accept the fact that no one is actually performing well under pressure and you cannot expect of yourself doing better ...more
For me personally, the book helps to understand what is pressure. Accept the fact that no one is actually performing well under pressure and you cannot expect of yourself doing better ...more
There are a couple of chapters that I consider the most valuable, they give you research-based tips on how to decrease stress and preform under pressure.
When last we saw our superheroes they’d saved the Earth again.
What’s an appropriate ‘Thank You’ gift for saving a whole planet?
Some flowers?
A massage, after all, most action movies have a happy ending.
Maybe just a nice bottle of wine.
Yet they’ve never come across a menace such as this…
My eyes scanned the parking lot. Left, right, rear mirror, we were surrounded.
Nothing on the news to warn us, no mention of unusual phenomena, no word of any outbreaks and yet…there they were.
I stopped the car to l ...more
What’s an appropriate ‘Thank You’ gift for saving a whole planet?
Some flowers?
A massage, after all, most action movies have a happy ending.
Maybe just a nice bottle of wine.
Yet they’ve never come across a menace such as this…
My eyes scanned the parking lot. Left, right, rear mirror, we were surrounded.
Nothing on the news to warn us, no mention of unusual phenomena, no word of any outbreaks and yet…there they were.
I stopped the car to l ...more
Required reading if you're in a high pressure work
Book discusses a lot of mind set strategies and tools to make you more efficient in high pressure situations. The book has a situations chapter that helps you start applying the techniques quickly , followed by an explanation of why these techniques work. Highly recommend ...more
Book discusses a lot of mind set strategies and tools to make you more efficient in high pressure situations. The book has a situations chapter that helps you start applying the techniques quickly , followed by an explanation of why these techniques work. Highly recommend ...more
I'd give a good 2,5 stars, but half stars are not a thing.
Most of the "scientific" explanations in the beginning of the book are crap.
There's tons of claims that are simple misunderstandings, presented as facts. I could go on naming them one by one, but that's also impractical. Just don't read the first 20% of the book, there are occasionally some true facts, and then absolute bollocks explanations that are messing with you. Also, it gives a very vague reason why stress and pressure are a diffe ...more
Most of the "scientific" explanations in the beginning of the book are crap.
There's tons of claims that are simple misunderstandings, presented as facts. I could go on naming them one by one, but that's also impractical. Just don't read the first 20% of the book, there are occasionally some true facts, and then absolute bollocks explanations that are messing with you. Also, it gives a very vague reason why stress and pressure are a diffe ...more
We live in such a high-pressure society that we all feel such pressure to succeed - and that pressure can actually derail us (as anyone who has ever "choked" in an interview, during a presentation or while playing in a big game will attest). This book was tremendously helpful, with compelling real-life stories/examples of people under pressure. While we can't change the pressure-filled world that we live in, this book shows that we CAN improve the way we handle pressure. I especially enjoyed the
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Fantastic book
One of the best books I read on the subject. I’m interested in the topic because of my job & because my kids play competitively sports, so I’ve read a few books & articles on the matter. This is one of the best sources I found so far. Good structure with good examples covering several areas in life yet could be utilized in any specific field of choice.
One of the best books I read on the subject. I’m interested in the topic because of my job & because my kids play competitively sports, so I’ve read a few books & articles on the matter. This is one of the best sources I found so far. Good structure with good examples covering several areas in life yet could be utilized in any specific field of choice.
Practical in the moment tips and longer term strategies for performing under pressure. I highly recommend this book.
Great read
The book was very enjoyable. The principles were clearly highlighted and the author knew his subject. I learned things that will help me and my teams.
The book was very enjoyable. The principles were clearly highlighted and the author knew his subject. I learned things that will help me and my teams.
Highly recommend. Lots of good info and tips
An enjoyable book with fantastic tips to increase your productivity in "extreme" scenarios (or as extreme as office/sport situations can be).
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I was very impressed during and after reading. The book have logical strategy and truly right features for preventing stress situations
This is not your typical self-help book. I went into this book skeptically. Authors who have to begin by providing an extensive list of whom they have worked with is a BIG red flag. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised. Indeed, one might call this the definitive lay source on dealing with stress and pressure.
The analysis of behaviors and the difference between stress and pressure is flushed out extremely well. The research is topical, current and academically honest. I can say this because mu ...more
The analysis of behaviors and the difference between stress and pressure is flushed out extremely well. The research is topical, current and academically honest. I can say this because mu ...more
Our brains developed to use stress for survival. We do not face the same stressors today as we did thousands of years ago; however, our brains are slow to change. Today’s pressures can come from the things we find important and that we need to perform well. There were many techniques that the authors explained that were helpful.
Befriending the moment was extremely helpful to me. This is when you see the stressful episode as opportunities. This will enable you to get benefits from the situation. ...more
Befriending the moment was extremely helpful to me. This is when you see the stressful episode as opportunities. This will enable you to get benefits from the situation. ...more
I've got this one for free or as an occasion when its price was significantly reduced. I didn't really plan to jump on it straight away, it was some sort of back-up in case I needed some inspiration on the topic. This May I've picked it up for listening (audiobook) while running, because of its ... length :) But now, after reaching its end I can only recommend it (100% honestly) - it's the best & most comprehensive book on the topic I've encountered.
Just to make sure we're on the same page: this ...more
Just to make sure we're on the same page: this ...more
The book had some interesting strategies to help you perform better under pressure.
However, I wasn't a fan of it overall. I didn't like the writing style, which was too broad and vague - example: talking about how since man first started doing this or that, or since the dawn of time this and that. That provides nothing to the story you're telling.
There were a LOT of sport analogies, which is great if you like sports, but is irrelevant and uninteresting to me. This is a personal preference, but ...more
However, I wasn't a fan of it overall. I didn't like the writing style, which was too broad and vague - example: talking about how since man first started doing this or that, or since the dawn of time this and that. That provides nothing to the story you're telling.
There were a LOT of sport analogies, which is great if you like sports, but is irrelevant and uninteresting to me. This is a personal preference, but ...more
I’m considering buying this book because it had such practical information. As I’m interviewing for a new job, I wanted to get my head in the right space for phone interviews and this book was great for it. It has 21-ish sections devoted to different performance strategies. It also referred to prominent business people and sports icons, and research about which strategy to use. I found that I already know most of them, but now that I’ve thought about them more I think I’ll use them more frequent
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I wanted to like this book. But I cannot say I heard any new material here. From all the self-help books I've read, the main ideas are: Be confident, recognize your fears/insecurities, you can learn from every failure, which I heard mentioned here. Any new insights offered here were convoluted and confusing. It didn't seem to follow an outline and was all over the place.
Overall - I am glad this torture is over. ...more
Overall - I am glad this torture is over. ...more
I loved this book's thorough examination of the science behind pressure. The author dispels myths about pressure to set the stage for conquering it. As a natural skeptic, I appreciated the repeated citation of studies and statistics to convince the reader of the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. Although much of the advice might be obvious, the author's supporting evidence goes a long way towards encouraging the reader to put such notions in to practice.
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Hendrie Weisinger, received his Ph.D. from The University of Kansas and is a psychologist trained in clinical, counseling, and organizational psychology. He also is School psychologist. He is a leading authority on the application of emotional intelligence and anger management and the originator of the highly regarded techniques of criticism training and a pioneer in the emerging field of "pressur
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“I’ve done it before. I can do it again” is the mantra of this pressure solution.”
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“These small wins matter more because they are so much more likely to occur compared to the big break-throughs in the world. If we only waited for the big wins, we would be waiting a long time. And we would probably quit long before we saw anything tangible come to fruition. What you need instead of big wins is simply the forward momentum that small wins bring.”
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