As a decision-maker, it can be challenging to make decisions at the best of times, let alone good decisions under pressure.
When the stakes are high there often isn’t time to weigh all the options.
But, there are strategies that can help you make the best possible decision, even when the pressure is on.
In this volume of Decide, we will explore four strategies for making good decisions under pressure.
We’ll look at real-life stories of people who made good decisions when they needed to.
From keeping calm to practising being under pressure, these strategies will help you to be decisive – all while being up against it.
They will transform your sticky situations from being frustrating and indecisive to productive and decisive.
So, if you’re ready to learn about some helpful strategies, read on decision-maker.
1. Keep Calm and Carry On
The first strategy for making good decisions under pressure is to try and obtain a sense of calm.
When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, it can be difficult to think clearly.
But if you can stay calm, you’ll be better able to assess the situation and make a thoughtful decision.
Easy to say but hard to do when your heart is racing, but one of the best ways to try keep calm is to focus on your breathing:
- Let your breath flow as deep down into your belly as is comfortable, without forcing it.
- Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Breathe in gently and regularly. Some people find it helpful to count steadily from 1 to 5 while doing so. You may not be able to reach 5 at first.
- Then let it flow out gently, counting from 1 to 5 again, if you find this helpful.
- Keep doing this for at least 5 minutes.
One example of someone who stayed calm under pressure is Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.
In 2009, he was piloting a US Airways flight when both of the plane’s engines were disabled by a bird strike.
With only minutes to spare, Sully managed to land the plane safely on the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew.
“I knew that I could not allow myself to become so focused on the problems that I was seeing, that I couldn’t make good decisions about the options that were available to me.”
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger
Listen to the remarkable calmness in the audio recording from inside the cockpit in the video below.
When you’re calm, you know not to focus on the problems but rather you can assess the options available to you.
2. Focus on What You Can Control
When you’re under pressure, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things that are out of your control.
However, focusing on what you can control can help you make a better decision.
What is the number one thing that you control? Yourself.
One example of someone who focused on what she could control is Amanda Eller.
In 2019, she went for a hike in Maui and got lost in the wilderness for 17 days.
During that time, she survived on plants and water from a nearby stream.
“There were times of total fear and loss and wanting to give up and it did come down to life and death and I had to choose and I chose life, I wasn’t going to take the easy way out.”
Amanda Eller
Make some time to assess what you can and can’t control in any given situation.
Identify the things that you can’t control, like:
- Other people’s actions and behaviour: You cannot control how other people will behave or react in a given situation. You can only control your own actions and responses.
- External circumstances: Some situations are beyond your control, such as natural disasters or unexpected events. You can only control how you respond to these external circumstances.
- The past: You cannot change what has already happened in the past. You can only learn from it and use it to inform your actions and decisions moving forward.
So that you can focus on the things that you can control:
- Your attitude: You have the power to choose your attitude and mindset towards the situation. You can choose to approach it with a positive or negative attitude, and this can greatly impact your ability to handle the situation effectively.
- Your actions: You can control your own actions and behaviour in response to the situation. You can choose to take proactive steps to address the situation, or you can choose to do nothing and let the situation control you.
- Your thoughts: You can control your thoughts and internal dialogue. You can choose to focus on negative thoughts and emotions or shift your focus to positive and productive ones.
3. Seek Advice
Making a decision under pressure can feel like a lonely experience, but it doesn’t have to be.
Seeking advice from others can help you see the situation from a different perspective and make a better decision.
The best advice can come from people who have experience dealing with what you are currently going through.
In the early 1990’s, Nelson Mandela was faced with a difficult decision regarding the future of South Africa.
After years of racial segregation and violence, the country was on the brink of civil war.
Mandela turned to Archbishop Desmond Tutu for advice.
The Archbishop, who had won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work fighting against apartheid, encouraged Mandela to pursue reconciliation and forgiveness rather than revenge.
Mandela took Tutu’s advice to heart and worked to promote reconciliation and forgiveness in South Africa.
He became a symbol of hope and unity, and in 1994, he was elected as South Africa’s first black president.
By seeking advice from someone who had experience in promoting peace and reconciliation, Mandela was able to make a decision that helped to end years of violence and hatred in South Africa.
So stand on the shoulders of giants – discover the truth by building on previous discoveries.
“If I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Isaac Newton
4. Practice Under Pressure
The final strategy for making good decisions under pressure is to practice.
While you can’t recreate the exact same conditions you’ll face in a high-pressure situation, you can practice making decisions when the stakes are lower.
After the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986, NASA created the Crew Resource Management (CRM) programme to improve communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills.
As part of the CRM programme, NASA began conducting simulations of various emergency scenarios, such as equipment failures, fires, and medical emergencies.
The simulations involved teams of astronauts and ground personnel working together to solve problems and make decisions under pressure.
This programme helped NASA be better prepared for future emergencies in space.
In conclusion, making decisions under pressure can be a daunting task, but there are strategies you can use to make the best possible decision.
By maintaining a sense of calm, focusing on what you can control, seeking advice, and practising under pressure, you can be better prepared to make the right decision when the stakes are high.
As former U.S. Navy SEAL and author Jocko Willink said, “Discipline equals freedom.”
By using these strategies and maintaining a disciplined approach to decision-making under pressure, you can increase your chances of success in any high-stake situation.
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, and I’ll see you next week.
Ty
P.S. Say hey on Twitter and if you have a moment I would love your feedback on this volume, you can leave a comment here.
Footnotes:
Here are the sources for the stories and quotes mentioned in this volume:
- Keep Calm and Carry On
- Focus on What You Can Control
- Seek Advice
- Practice Under Pressure
