Stress isn’t the problem. Your reaction is.

Dear reader,

When life gives you lemons… we all know the saying.

But what happens when life gives you hundreds of lemons all at once, multiple times a week, until you’re buried in them? What happens when the pressure becomes so overwhelming it’s impossible to ignore? When you’re put on the spot and forced to make a consequential decision immediately?

“The goal isn’t to never feel anxious, sad, or uncertain. The goal is to feel those things without letting them control you.” -Leila Hormozi-

I don’t know about you, but personally, my go-to technique has always been running. When life gives me thousands of lemons, I run faster than someone who accidentally sends a screenshot to the subject of the screenshot. And the truth is, I’m not the only one.

Pressure equals discomfort, and the human mind hates discomfort. From an evolutionary standpoint, discomfort signals danger, which is why our nervous system instinctively pushes us toward escape, avoidance, or impulsive action. This is exactly why learning how to stay calm and composed under pressure isn’t just a valuable life skill, it’s a superpower.

We all know that one Peterson, who seems calm literally all the time. The kind of person who would probably walk out of a burning building without panicking. (Please don’t do that though.)

Research in neuroscience and psychology shows that pressure directly affects the brain’s decision-making systems. Under stress, activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, and self-control, decreases, while emotional and impulsive responses increase.

In simple terms, when pressure is high, your thinking becomes narrower, more reactive, and less strategic. You momentarily think like you’re under the influence.

However, studies also show that staying emotionally regulated under pressure supports clearer thinking, better judgment, and more strategic decision-making. This is why Peterson tends to move through life with more ease, and consistently deliver better results, even in high-stakes situations.

And here’s the empowering part: staying calm under pressure is not a personality trait, it’s a skill.

Which means it can be learned. (Happy Dance Moment!)

In the rest of this post, I’ll share the three evidence-based ways I’ll be training myself to stay composed, clear-headed, and collected, especially in high-pressure situations where it matters most.

1. Voluntarily Seek and Embrace Discomfort

Practice makes perfect is a cliché, but for a reason.

This is all about putting yourself in artificial stressful situations. Sign up for a challenging competition (like a chess tournament or a public speaking event), introduce yourself to a room full of influential people, or take a difficult certification test with limited prep time. Putting yourself in controlled high-stakes situations helps normalize stress and strengthens your ability to respond calmly when the real moment arrives.

Fun Fact: Stress inoculation Training (SIT) Is a psychological technique where a person is gradually exposed to stress in a controlled setting to immunize them against the feeling of being overwhelmed by major stress in the future.

2. Visualize Success and Reframe the Feeling

Elite performers, from athletes to surgeons, use visualization and mental rehearsal to mentally simulate stressful scenarios. Practicing how you’ll respond to pressure reduces fear and builds confidence, making real-life situations easier to navigate.

While you’re doing that, you can also reframe the stress as an advantage. Research in stress psychology shows that changing your interpretation of stress improves performance and lowers physiological stress responses. In other words, be delusional. Say to yourself, “I’m not scared, I’m excited! I thrive on pressure.” This simple shift transforms a threat response into a challenge response.

3. Anchor Yourself with a Pre-Performance Routine

Many studies on athletes, musicians, and performers show that repeated routines before high-pressuring moments reduce anxiety and improve focus. A routine signals to your brain, “This is familiar, proceed.”

Your routine doesn't need to be long or complex. It could be three deliberate deep breaths, listening to a specific song, or even a quick dance or stretch.

Your goal is to stay as level-headed as possible.

The next time life throws a mountain of lemons at you, whether it's an impossible deadline, a crazy test, a job interview, or a major financial decision, remember this: Your mindset is your greatest tool.

The ability to make smart decisions under pressure is not reserved for a few chosen 'Petersons.'

It's a skill available to you right now.

By deliberately practicing exposure, reframing your stress response, and creating a simple routine, you are training your brain to keep your prefrontal cortex online when it matters most.

Stop running. Start training. You have the power to turn those thousands of overwhelming lemons into the clearest, most strategic lemonade you’ve ever tasted, or maybe even a multi -million lemon centred business.

Finally, what is one high-pressure situation you will voluntarily expose yourself to this week to practice these skills?

Love,

Me <3

P.S.: It gets better, always.