Comments on: Be Clutch, Don’t Choke: How to Thrive in High Pressure Situations (Part II)

By: Philip G.

Philip G. — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:19:17 +0000

I just got around to reading this article and enjoyed both segments. I think you’re spot on with the advice on shooting. From my time in the Army I can recall the emphasis placed on trigger pull functions and breathing control… it was definitely over the top. After just a few trips to the range the trigger pull and breathing patterns are well developed and the primary focus from that point forward shifts toward your sight picture on the target. Soldiers that don’t naturally make this progression do tend to get caught up in the small mechanical aspects of shooting and their scores suffer as a result.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 04:25:44 +0000

A technique I use involves a rubber band. Say I am up to bat and thinking too much, what I would then do is snap the band that is on my wrist and focus in on the stinging. It takes your mind off the negative self talk and focuses on an extrensive force.

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:52:30 +0000

Now only if real life were a game where we could endlessly practice one or two tasks instead of the whirlwind of chaos that has most people (above the fry cook level anyway) scrambling in a futile attempt to keep their nose above the waterline. The days of learning a skill set even in a white collar job are gone. Everything changes within a matter of a few months, then changes a again and again.

By: Larry

Larry — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:38:16 +0000

Square breathing derived from the Russian Special Forces (Spetsnaz). It is not “thousands of years old,” nor is it any kind of “yoga shit,” nor did Lt. Col. Grossman invent it. Not only is it a calming technique, it is a breath development technique.

You can start practicing it by walking. Inhale for three steps, hold for three steps, exhale for three steps, hold exhaled for three steps and so on for whatever your given distance is. As you develop, work your way to where you can square breath for up to eight steps. Expert Spetsnaz can reportedly go upwards of 15 breaths inhale-hold-exhale-hold.

Once you get good at square breathing while walking, try square breathing while running. Then work at it running with a load, uphill, while doing push ups, while fighting, etc.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:12:50 +0000

They’ve proven again and again that there’s no such thing as clutch in baseball.

By: CRM

CRM — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:54:19 +0000

I have some fond memories of games like Lakers and Celtics.. magic against bird…
I like the Practice tactical breathing. think i will try that at work next time :)

By: 10 Day Fantasy HR Contest

10 Day Fantasy HR Contest — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:19:09 +0000

What I’ve found to work the best is to have a song stuck in your head. But the problem is getting the song in your head. I know most people, including me would like songs out of our heads most of the time, but when it’s in my head during a high pressure situation I always do better. I just don’t think it’s a button people can push on a off.

By: g

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:48:20 +0000

Thoughtful post…great zamboni often says, “distraction leads to clear action” ,,,

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:14:29 +0000

No credit to the Steelers’ defense, though?

Also, correct trigger pull is a pretty important part of shooting well.

By: BenG

BenG — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:00:48 +0000

I remember when I first started my contracting business, I was scared to death of “selling myself” and sounding like a shmoozy BS’er. I’d freeze up on a phone call or in a meeting when asked to describe what made my company worth choosing. What got me past it was sticking to the things I knew backwards and forwards–the actual building process in my case. I’d take a few moments to talk about what was involved with a project like theirs and I would immediately start to relax and feel natural again. Then it was easy to talk to the client about how we could guide them through a big project and sell them on our company without sounding like a phony.