Key Factors Involved in Working under Pressure
There are several key factors involved in the learned skill or innate gift of effectively working under pressure. These include but are not limited too:
Calmness
A calm disposition is essential for working effectively under pressure. All powers of organization, creativity and self-discipline will cease to function the moment you lose your cool. Forcing yourself to remain calm, be it through meditation, education or some other device, is the first thing that you must do to effectively handle working under pressure.
Structure
Organization is the second important factor when working effectively under pressure. Stress is exacerbated when you don’t have a plan. Take a moment and come up with a realistic timetable for getting your work done, as well as a division of your time that will let you accomplish everything you need to do. If there is no mathematical way to cram everything that must be done into the available hours structure your work so that you tackle the most important jobs first.
A creative mind
A large part of working effectively under pressure means finding new and innovative solutions to problems that have confounded you or others in the past. Quite often this demands that you think outside the box and find radical new solutions. In one of the Star Trek movies a young Captain Kirk is faced with a tactical question that offers no positive outcomes – both available options will result in mission failure. His solution? He changed the question. Creativity always has a place in high pressure situations.
Discipline
Working effectively under pressure can require you to push the people working under you to incredible lengths, but they will rightfully demand similar or greater sacrifices from you. The only way to make the most of your organizational plan and your creative skills is to combine them with superb self-discipline. Can you really sit in front of your computer and not get up for so much as a bathroom break until the project is complete? Can you really get through the entire list of sales calls, even if it means cold calling and leaving voicemail messages for your clients until two in the morning for three days straight?
Discipline is the backbone of a successful worker who’s under pressure. No matter what challenges you face they can be solved through the implementation of a top-notch plan, using the creative faculties of both sides of your brain, backed up with unwavering discipline and commitment to your craft.
