For many of us, including myself at one point in time, the glow of a looming deadline is what finally kicks us in to gear to get something done. Sometimes, we even set artificial deadlines for ourself to provide that motivational factor to finish something that we have been putting off. For those who identify with these behaviors, “I work best under pressure” is our mantra!
There is a scientific explanation for why some people work best under pressure. When we are under pressure to accomplish something, our body starts pushing adrenaline into our system. Several physiological things begin to happen when the body is given adrenaline. First, the heart starts pumping faster, pushing more blood and oxygen through the system. This provides both energy and stamina to the body enabling a great ability to accomplish a task. Second, adrenaline has an impact on our brain's function. Adrenaline cause our brain to narrow our focus (both physically and mentally), which has the affect of eliminating "brain chatter" or, in other words, eliminates internal distractions. Less distraction equals greater focus on the task at hand. End result: "I work best under pressure."
These conditions are part of the human body's anticipation of the need to burn fuel. It is more commonly known as the "fight or flight" response. The fight or flight syndrome is an incredible response system designed for survival in moments of threat. It is not, however, a sustainable system. Adrenaline is designed to give the body a burst of energy in moments of need. Key word: moments.
When we set ourselves up (or just allow ourselves) to operate under constant pressure, we are by default pouring a constant stream of adrenaline into our body. Constant and/or long-term exposure to adrenaline can have some very negative effects on our health, not the least of which is heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is now the number one cause of death in BOTH men and women.
So, if you are someone "who works best under pressure," how can you generate focus and energy when you are NOT under pressure? Answer: Get rid of the mental distractions. David Allen, the author of The NY Times National Best Seller "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity" states that a primary cause of mental distractions is due to having too much unclarified "stuff" in our life. That stuff includes a bounty of emails, meeting notes, flashing voice mail lights, regular mail, and so much more. All that "stuff" generates a mental counterpart that is constantly creating mental drag and is a primary source of self-inflicted distraction. The way that we get rid of the mental drag is to systematically clarify all the new stuff coming into our world on a regular basis. Clarifying is a matter of applying some "executive thinking" to things when they show up in our life instead of when they blow up in our life.
This executive thinking is not as complicated as one might think. It doesn't mean that you are doing the work, but defining what needs to be done next and what outcome you are trying to achieve. It is simply asking ourselves (and answering, of course!) four easy questions for each item that has shown up in our life. Those four questions are:
1). What is this? This question is simply clarifying what exactly is the nature of this item. Is it a request for you to do something? Is it informational? Is it just something to trash?
2). Is it actionable? Does this item trigger a need for you to do anything? There are only two possible answers to this question: Yes or No.
3). If it is actionable for you, then: What is your next action? What is the next physical, visible next action that would move you closer to the finish line? It is important to recognize that NOTHING happens until you are clear about the very next action to take.
4). What is your desired outcome? This last question provides clarity around your finish line. What does done look like? To put it another way, what exactly are you needing/wanting to accomplish? This becomes your stake in the ground as a marker that stays on your radar until it is finished, done, and complete.
This process, known as the GTD Methodology, is amazing in how it reduces mental distractions and allows us to focus on the task at hand without the necessity of being under pressure. The benefits are huge! It allows you to be in control and focused, yet relaxed while being meaningfully engaged. It is a big step for living our life either Up or Getting Up (But Never Down).
Wrapping Things UP
It is impossible to maintain a life of being Up or Getting Up (But Never Down) when you are stressed out and life is out of control. Allowing ourselves to be under pressure all the time may help us accomplish the tasks that we are committed to, but it is not a sustainable system. One way to stay highly productive and yet relatively stress-free is to ensure that we are managing to all of life's inputs by clarifying our commitments when they show up in our life instead of when they blow up in our life. Clarifying our commitments reduces the mental distractions in our brain and helps us stay present and focused on the task at hand.
Here's to a wonderfully productive, yet stress-free week!
God Bless,
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