Mindfulness

The pressure of performance – the never-ending deadline

When is it ever enough? The ongoing pressure of performance in order to succeed, not only in your job, but also in social environments. There is always a pressure to perform. You achieve that perfect body, the best status in your job and go so far out of yourself to achieve the things that once you loved to do, that the love for the actual act is diminishing.

There is always something that could be done better, always someone around you who has more than you have. By looking to others what they have, you manifest that you are living with lack. Not accepting that life is a process of growth, of practice you can’t see the beauty in lacking. Making mistakes are the biggest lessons in life, and you will learn from them and deliver twice the quality you did before.

Let’s take a look at some steps in order to make performance less restrictive:

1. Live in the moment, less pressure

Looking at the big picture, it is like looking up to a high mountain you know that you are never able to climb. However, think about the stairs you can build while getting there.

When you live in the moment and just start building and working, you will see that every time a little progress has been made. Looking into the future all the time, you are forgetting what life is about. That it is about enjoying every single moment and when you choose a job that you love, you would not mind working in little steps. As you bring love in every single step that you take. This brings us to the next step.

2. Do something that you love

If you have to work on something that you hate, it is like every day is a giant stone on your back. Thinking that you have to choose something that brings you money, reputation or a high status, is the wrong approach (at least happy wise). If that works for you off course, nothing will stop you from achieving the dream of money.

However, when you put your heart into something that you enjoy doing with every ounce of your body. You put a positive energy in your work, and you would be surprised how money just knows how to find you.

You become a magnet to what you would like to achieve, as people really enjoy seeing people working from the heart. When you speak from the heart you get an instant spark to your customers, friends and family.

3. Be the dream

In order for you to have the dreams that you want, you have to start living like you have them already. If you are always complaining or looking up to the pile of things that you still need to do, you are sending out negative signals to the universe and you will get them back. The universe does have a greater plan for you, but you are born with a free will.

Pressure performance dream big

This is the always difficult conversation of free will vs. your life path. Usually everything that feels good to you is the universe sending you signals to follow. Maybe for other people this job is very difficult, but for you it comes easily. It is build into you naturally. Therefore, you can handle a lot more, as it does not feel like work to you. Feel, dream and be where you see yourself, only when you believe it, others will too.

4. Pressure leads to stress, take more breaks

Often when you feel pressured to finish something, a natural response is to work more in order to force yourself to finish the task. In reality a brain that is already tired, has a really hard time rounding up a task. If you would like to force yourself, force yourself to take a break and a walk outside. You will see that after that you will have enough energy to continue.

5. Be patient and do not be afraid to fail

Sometimes you give it all your best, but it just does not feel like the timing is right. It is oke not to always deliver the quality that others expect when you gave it your all. Maybe it is a sign that it is just not for you, or maybe you simply need a holiday. We do not thrive in a day, laying a foundation and delivering top quality, is a matter of practice.

It could be that other people expect more from you than you can bring. Just make sure to be clear in communication vs. how much you can deliver. If things are leading you into a burn-out, you can’t do anything at all. Stress is the biggest enemy of all in the western world. Often we can feel with our intuition how much we can do a day, and if you feel you are not up to the job, just be honest about it. There is no harm in being honest, no matter the reaction of the other.

6. Bring joy into everything you do

Listen to some fun music while doing a certain task. Have a little dance in the middle (who cares what others think), life is too short to be serious all the time. Make life fun and so make your work fun. You can have 2 full hours of concentration and then you give yourself a little break with some fun, music or an outside walk.

This is the only way to make yourself feel alive, instead of going for auto-pilot, which is a scary feeling. Not living every moment like it matters. By the end of your journey, you would not like to think that you forgot most of your time. Appreciate the small moments with the people around you and be grateful for every single day that is presented to you.

7. Acceptance

Keep smiling, nothing will last forever, even the difficult moments. Like with everything you will get through life and once you just accept where you are in the moment. Things will be falling into place once you just simply are oke with how things are going and you do not have to fight it anymore. Oke, you will fail and so what? You are only human right.

A solution will be presented to you once you find the peace within your mind. And that is something very exciting to look forward to.

So if you are going through a difficult time during these eclipses, just hang in there and know that life will always support you. Even though it does not look that way.

Embracing a Growth Mindset

One key approach to mitigating performance pressure is adopting a growth mindset. This concept, popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, revolves around the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed over time. By fostering a growth mindset, individuals can view challenges as opportunities for development rather than insurmountable obstacles. This perspective encourages resilience and perseverance, particularly when faced with setbacks or failures. Embracing a growth mindset also involves recognizing that excellence is a journey, not a destination, and that continuous learning and effort are integral to personal and professional growth.

The Role of Organizational Culture in Performance Pressure

The culture of an organization plays a significant role in how performance pressure is perceived and handled by its members. A supportive and positive work environment that values employee well-being and encourages a healthy work-life balance can significantly reduce performance stress.

Companies and institutions that prioritize mental health, offer flexibility, and foster open communication create a more sustainable and less pressurized work atmosphere. Conversely, a high-stress, competitive environment can exacerbate the pressure to perform. Leaders and managers, therefore, have a pivotal role in shaping a culture that balances high performance with employee well-being.

Conclusion Pressure of Performance

The article emphasizes the importance of managing the pressure of performance by living in the moment, doing what you love, embodying your dreams, managing stress through breaks, embracing failure with patience, infusing joy in your tasks, and accepting your current state. It acknowledges the challenge of societal and self-imposed pressures but advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes personal well-being and happiness. Embracing these principles not only enhances personal growth but also leads to a more fulfilling and less stressful life.

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