You cannot run all of the time

Couldn't help but think about the analogies between soccer and business while watching the UEFA Euro Cup matches. In particular, the importance of pace. In each match, each side was able to make their runs but  it was also important to note that a winning formula wasn't necessarily to always be running. Run too much too early and you have nothing left for defense. The real quality sides made the right runs at the right times - they pressured without losing form. What a great analogy for life in general!

When the pressure is on, have a plan
Too many times, it is easy to see mounting pressures and lose the ability to think critically about what to do. No doubt, the absence of a plan just creates more of a sense of panic. A best practice is to think now about how you would work through a variety of different pressures that might happen - at work, in life, wherever. What would you do first? When you are able to envision and walk through your approach, you are preparing yourself for the unexpected.

Condition your reactions
Similar to having a plan is understanding that there is a physiological reaction to increased stress. Your hormones start pumping through the most primitive parts of your brain. You feel warmer and more on edge. This is not the ideal situation to be working through the most effective and well-prepared response. If you have practiced what to do when "the bullets start flying", you won't even have to think about your initial responses.

Create a feedback loop - leverage others
While having the right responses conditioned may help you with the initial period of any pressure, you have to  also be aware that these are all fluid situations. How will you ascertain if your response is helping or hurting? While including trusted stakeholders is a great strategy in all phases of "making a run", it is especially useful as you are processing boatloads of data. You are an interested party to the pressure and your cognitive functions are impaired - sometimes you need that third party telling you "hey, things seem to be going exactly as planned" even though you feel adrift.

You can't run the entire game
The last suggestion may not feel like something that you can help at all. After all, if we were individually able to influence the amount or frequency of stress in our lives then there wouldn't be any! That said, never forget that while you might not be able to influence everything that happens around (and to) you, you are singularly responsible for your reactions. Make time for yourself to "unwind" or release some pressure but also remember the mental aspect. For example, something may seem important today but if a trunk-load of new issues are dropped on your stoop - maybe that old priority isn't as important anymore.