“The attitude with which we approach the situation can determine our success or failure.”

The biggest moments reveal our weaknesses.

You've trained for this. You've prepared. You know what to do. But when the spotlight hits, something shifts. Your body tenses. Your mind races. The skills that felt automatic in practice suddenly feel foreign.

Choking isn't about skill - it's about focus.

Under pressure, our attention splits between performing and protecting our ego. We start thinking about what happens if we fail instead of what we need to do to succeed. The irony? The more we try to avoid failure, the more likely we are to create it.

It’s the paradox of trying too hard…

Think about the free throw shooter who's automatic in practice but misses both when the game is on the line. Or the presenter who knows their material cold but freezes when the executives walk in. Same person, same skills - different focus.

The difference between clutch performers and chokers isn't talent. It's where they direct their attention when it matters most. Champions focus on process, not outcome. They trust their preparation instead of questioning it.

👉 Most people never learn how to shift their focus under pressure. Inside Premium this week, I break down the exact mental strategies that separate clutch performers from chokers - the specific techniques that keep you locked in when the stakes are highest. If you want to perform your best when it matters most → Upgrade today

Your biggest opponent isn't the person next to you - it's your bad habits, your excuses, your fears, and the distractions that steal your focus. That's what you compete against every single day.

Success doesn't come from chasing others - it comes from chasing excellence.

Every time you compare yourself to someone else, you shift focus to outcomes you can't control. True growth is about competing with yourself - being more disciplined, more consistent, and more focused than you were yesterday.

Comparison is outcome-driven. Process is growth-driven.

The only time comparison helps is when it sharpens your process. Don't waste energy measuring things that don't matter - invest it in the habits and standards that push you forward. You don't need to be better than someone else today. You need to be better than you were yesterday.

Everyone knows Madden's 3 team rules:

But his 4th rule was revolutionary:

"Treat players like men, not kids."

While other coaches micromanaged every detail, Madden didn't. He set clear boundaries of what he expected, then let his players police themselves. This wasn't about being soft - it was about creating something more powerful than fear: ownership.

When you treat athletes like professionals, they act like professionals. When you trust them to hold themselves accountable, they hold each other to higher standards than any coach could impose.

The results spoke for themselves:

As Raiders tight end Ted Kwalick said: "I was glad to play for a coach who treated you like a man, not like a kid."

Madden's lesson: Respect creates accountability.

The secret wasn't fewer rules - it was treating grown men like grown men. When players feel trusted and respected, they'll move mountains for you. The same principle applies whether you're leading a team, raising kids, or managing employees.

👉 Don't just set standards - create ownership.

For coaches and leaders:

For athletes and performers:

What I am reading and listening to:

📚 Book: Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek

🎥 Video: Nick Saban: The Process of Sustained Excellence (Championship Leadership Case Studies)

🎧Podcast: Ben McCollum: Assessing The Character Of Others, The Power Of Empathy, & Leading With A Process-Oriented Approach | Everybody Pulls the Tarp Podcast

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