Perform well in a crisis

Practice while in a relaxed state
If you’re learning how to swim or play an instrument, engage in your practice session without any pressure. If you’re a boxer, you can shadowbox an imaginary opponent in preparation for an actual fight. If you want students to respond appropriately during a school fire, make them go through multiple fire drills. Take a relaxed approach as you practice instead of creating too much pressure. Practicing without pressure helps you learn more efficiently and ensures that you can perform better in a crisis.

Respond aggressively instead of negatively when in a crisis
When facing a crisis, focus on your intended goals instead of what someone else may do or what might happen to you. For example, if you’re a baseball player and the coach sends you in when your team is losing heavily, fearlessly accept the challenge and concentrate on getting the best results. Tell yourself, “No matter what happens, I can handle it” instead of “I hope nothing worse happens.” Channel your frustration to release your inner power so that you can perform beyond expectation.

Ask yourself “What’s the worst that can happen?”
When faced with a crisis, seriously consider the worst outcomes that can result from the situation. Imagine all the worst-case scenarios and then find good reasons as to why each of them won’t be as terrible as you think. With real conviction, explore each scenario and say to yourself: “Well, after all, that outcome will not matter very much.” Repeat this process in your mind until your worry is replaced with excitement.