I’m a recovering pressure addict (and, I KNOW I’m not the only one because I see this in clients all the time). Meaning, I used to be addicted to using pressure as a mechanism for performance and getting results.
And, I’ve been talking a lot about the importance of releasing pressure so that you can create sustainable success in your business.
For many high achievers, putting more and more pressure on themselves and their business results has been internalized as normal and simply the ‘right’ way to get shit done and create success.
Pressure has become synonymous with caring and showing up, since it’s the mechanism that’s used to drive action. And, it can feel pretty darn uncomfortable when you stop using pressure as the lever in your business.
One of the biggest fears and most common pushbacks I get from my clients is the worry that they won’t show up without the pressure. They take releasing the pressure valve to mean ‘don’t care’ or ‘don’t show up’. 👈🏻👈🏻 And, that right there is why this pattern is so insidious.
Maybe it stems from that ‘inspirational quote’ that reminds you that diamonds just are pieces of coal that did well under pressure. Somewhere along the way, I picked up from society that pressure is required to create success. And, I internalized that to mean MORE pressure equals MORE success.
Anyone else get fed the same BS and digest it as fact?
The truth? You can keep piling on the pressure all day long, but unless you are, in fact, a piece of coal, more pressure doesn’t create diamonds. More pressure anywhere else results in feeling stuck and breaking.
I promise you, more money, more clients, more opportunities, more magic, and more fun and pleasure (you know why you started your business in the first place) aren’t the result of applying more and more pressure.
You *can* care, show up, and go all-in without using pressure as your driver. Applying more pressure isn’t proof that you care more, and it sure as hell isn’t going to make you want to show up consistently (ask anyone who’s ever been on a strict, pressurized diet that ended in a pint of ice cream how that worked out for them).
I can tell you one thing for sure: my business has never flourished as a result of putting more pressure on it. In fact, the more I master the art of taking the pressure backpack off, the faster and easier my business grows.
In fact, it’s a hell of a lot easier to show up and authentically care when there isn’t pressure to do so, in a certain way, by a certain time, or else. I know, because I’ve had to break up with using pressure to perform, and I talk about this with my high-achieving clients almost every day and see the same phenomenon in their businesses:
👉🏻 When they do the work to release the pressure valve and bring in some more self-love, gratitude, and fun, they go from frustrated with dried up leads to booking high-ticket clients.
👉🏻 When they stop putting on the pressure to ‘hit’ an income goal, they have their record-breaking income month.
👉🏻 And, when they trust themselves and love where they’re at in business so much they’re able to let the pressure go, they’re able to blow online launches out of the water (in one case, literally while on a beach vacation).
Stop buying into the myth that pressure creates business diamonds. Unless your business sells coal, this doesn’t apply. Take the pressure backpack off and watch your business and the way you feel soar.
The icing on the pressure-free cake? Lasting results, like the ones you want in business (you know, sustainable income and impact), grow fastest where the pressure is removed.
Wishing you your version of pressure-free success!
