Master Pressure Like a Game

When I’m under pressure, my first instinct isn’t always the best one. I catch myself rushing, overthinking, or reacting too fast—like I’m button-mashing in a game, hoping something works. But that usually just makes things worse. (And no one likes playing with the button-smasher.)

Good players don’t just hit buttons at random. They move with control. You won’t see them flailing—they stay steady, even when the pace picks up.

Like when the blocks start falling faster in Tetris, there’s no time to hesitate—but panicking makes mistakes more likely. The best players don’t freeze or move chaotically. They breathe, focus, and keep stacking.

Real life works the same way. When stress ramps up—deadlines, tough conversations, unexpected problems—it’s easy to react without thinking. But just like in games, panic doesn’t help. The steadier we are, the better we handle what’s in front of us.

I’ve been working on shifting my mindset, treating high-pressure moments like a game. Instead of rushing and making messy moves, I need to remember to slow down, notice what’s happening, and focus on the next best step. It’s not always easy, but the more I practice, the more natural it feels.

And that’s the good news—staying steady under pressure is a skill we can build. The more we practice in small, everyday moments, the easier it gets when the big ones hit. We don’t have to be perfect—just calm enough to keep playing.

ACTION: Think of a time when stress made you rush or react without thinking. What would it have looked like if you had stayed steady, like a skilled player in control? Next time pressure builds, take a breath, slow down, and make one move at a time.

POST

Giving with Practice

Most religions include service, charity, or acts of giving as part of their core traditions. In Judaism, there’s tzedakah. In Christianity, tithing. In Islam, zakat. Across different belief systems...

Connection with Practice

Religious communities usually come with built-in connection. Weekly gatherings. Holiday meals. People celebrate and grieve together. That was my experience growing up Jewish. I’ve been to Seders...

Notice with Practice

Prayer is a daily ritual for many religions. In Muslim tradition, they pause to pray five times a day. Christians and Jews traditionally say a short prayer before meals. While the words and reasons...

Repeat with Practice

Across many religious traditions, chanting, singing, or repeating phrases has been part of prayer, meditation, or ritual for centuries. But you don’t need to follow a specific belief system to feel...

Rest with Practice

Many major religions set aside time each week for rest: In Judaism, the Sabbath is from Friday evening to Saturday evening. For Christians, Sunday is the traditional day. In Islam, Friday is a day of...

Choose Your battles with Support

I used to think every battle was worth fighting. If something didn’t feel right, I reacted. I spoke up, pushed back, made it known. I thought that was strength. I didn’t want to feel like a...