Pressure is an Opportunity to Excel
Deciding how to start a blog—and what people would actually find interesting to read—was both perplexing and, at times, overwhelming. I definitely felt the pressure. With the start of a new year comes a sense of renewal. As with my designs, complexity is woven into everything I do. I promise this year’s content will be just that: complex, intriguing, and—hopefully—inspiring.
I pinned an article written by Harvey Mackay, someone I admire and regard as both intelligent and thoughtful in his exploration of the human spirit and its potential.
I’ve attached a link to his article published in October of this year. What stood out to me most is his perspective on pressure—how it’s real, yes, but also largely an attitude. He writes that pressure is 10% what happens and 90% how you handle it. As he puts it: “Winners thrive on pressure, while losers fear it. Winners look forward to pressure because it brings out the best in them, and individuals who welcome pressure are more successful.”
In his article, he gives examples of how the very act of practicing for situations that cause pressure—that familiar feeling of shallow breathing, perspiration, and wishing you didn’t have to face it—can actually be opportunities to excel. These moments, uncomfortable as they are, help you grow in your craft, strengthen your relationships, and elevate your accomplishments.
So here, in my blog, I won’t just say “practice makes perfect”—I’m adding one important word: perfect practice makes perfect. I’ll be practicing with intention, aiming to become an expert in bringing design—and all that it encompasses—to you. And I promise to give it everything I’ve got.
"A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure."
HENRY KISSINGER