Contributed by SBOC Member:
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When you’re on the cusp of a major opportunity does the pressure get to you?
Pressure can magnify our flaws, expose any preparation gaps, and push us to make unforced errors either by rushing or overthinking.
I’ll admit, pressure has knocked me around quite a bit at times. When I gave my TEDx in 2023, I had a solid practice performance run time of 15:00. On stage, I sped through it in 12:40! More recently, I was leading a golf tournament after day one and choked away the championship on day two.
I’m working hard to reframe pressure and what it means so perhaps this note is for my own use. I hope it helps you, too.
Tennis great Billie Jean King said, “Pressure is a Privilege – it only comes to those who earn it.” What a beautiful statement. In her case, you can feel the pressure to close out a major tournament by thinking you shouldn’t be nervous or that you need to avoid the expectations. Or, you can realize that it’s your own hard work, skill, and talents and have afforded you the opportunity for pressure. You’ve put in all the time on the practice court so you could step into the final moments of a match and win.
My overall feeling when under pressure is “don’t mess it up.” But with this reframe from Billie Jean, it could be “enjoy the moment you’ve earned.”
This week or next, you’ll make a big pitch to a potential client.
Or, you’ll ask for more money that you’ve ever earned.
Or, you’ll launch a new product that you know your audience will love.
In all of those scenarios, I hope you can remember that you have done the work to make those opportunities possible. And, you can lean into the enjoyment and unique feelings that a pressure packed situation can bring.
For me, it will be hosting #SBOC25 presented by Horicon Bank (yes, I still get nervous every year.) I’ve been working on the conference since November 2024 and in just 16 days, it will all be over.
It’s a privilege to host the conference and connect with our guests as we work together to make our business dreams come true. I just hope I don’t deliver my 45-minute keynote, “Quit Charging Too Little” in 31 minutes, lol.
PS – You absolutely right I’m going to share Billie Jean by MJ…I can’t miss a chance to share one of the top 10 hits of the 80’s.
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Contributed by
Pat Miller
Founder of the Small Business Owners Community
Pat spent two decades in broadcasting management and hosting. After leaving the radio industry, he spent time consulting small businesses and realized the support system for entrepreneurs was broken. Where could you find help for improving small businesses and building real connections with other like-minded people. In June of 2020, the Idea Collective Small Business Community was born.