How Do You Work Under Pressure?
Solopreneurs. They’re one of the busiest people in the world. As a solopreneurs, oftentimes you’ll find yourself catching up on deadlines, meeting multiple client demands, and more.
Being under pressure is unavoidable, and this challenges you to respond in a positive way. You can choose to stay positive or throw in the towel. If you want the best advice, keep reading.
1. Think of high-pressure situations as a fun game.
Different people perceive things differently. How do you see high-pressure moments? Do you think of them like a death sentence or do you think of them as a fun challenge? Seeing a situation negatively has consequences on your mood and focus. Remember: Positive perception = better results.
Read more: Need to Get Stuff Done? Here’s a Nice Little Game to Play with Yourself
2. Work in sprints.
You probably already know this: As humans, we cannot work at high speeds for long periods. We need breaks in between. This is where we see the value of sprints. They’re short periods in your day, let’s say 45 minutes, where you completely focus to get a task done. Don’t entertain distractions. Turn of social media and your phone.
3. Listen to classical music.
Play some classical music in the background while you work. Classical music promotes the release of dopamine, a feel-good hormone. It’s one of the best ways to calm yourself and increase your productivity.
4. Pick a “priority” task.
To work effectively under pressure, don’t try to do everything at once. If you have a ton of work that needs to get done right now, decide which task you’re going to focus on. This is your priority task. So while you work, think about your priority task only until you complete it. Then move on to the next.
5. Share the work.
Why not share the pressure with other people who are able and willing to help? There are some tasks that take up your time but these are also tasks that can be done by others. Examples include social media scheduling, graphic design, and email management.
Read more: Before You Outsource, Here Are Things You Should Know
6. Eliminate needless worrying.
Excessive worrying is like sitting on a rocking chair all day. You rock, and rock, and rock, but never go anywhere. You get the idea. Worrying steals the joy of the present moment. It shifts your attention to the past and future while sacrificing today. Fully experience the present moment. Be aware of the here and now. If you do that, I promise you that you’ll be able to complete your work feeling satisfied.
Final Thoughts
Solopreneurs can work under pressure and still achieve the best results. The key is to approach work with optimism. Don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed. Know what your priorities are. Focus and simplify.
Got thoughts you want to share about working under pressure? Leave a comment below.