Dr. Brian Hite, a renowned performance psychologist, coach, and Hollywood stuntman, helps individuals and organizations reimagine their relationship with pressure.
As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, "Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." This observation, though ages-old, reminds us that experiences are shaped by how we perceive them, not by the events themselves. This same truth underlies a key mistake in how we describe critical moments. We call them high-pressure situations, but the reality is this: there is no such thing.
Pressure isn’t inherent to any situation; it’s a product of the mind. The correct term is high-stakes situations. The stakes are real. The consequences exist. But pressure? That’s an illusion created when we focus on those consequences rather than the task at hand.
The problem with “pressure”
Words matter. The term “high-pressure situation” assumes that pressure comes from the situation itself. It externalizes the experience, as though the stakes alone compel us to feel anxious, hesitant, or overwhelmed. But this is false. Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor, wrote, “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your estimate of it.” Situations don’t create pressure; our thoughts about them do.
Labeling a moment as “high-pressure” diminishes our control. It suggests the experience is something that happens to us rather than something we choose to respond to. This framing distorts our focus, amplifies anxiety, and creates a psychological weight that hinders performance.
Stakes are real; pressure is not
A high-stakes situation accurately reflects the potential consequences without assigning unnecessary pressure. It’s a neutral description, objective and clear. Stakes simply represent the importance or weight of an outcome.
Two people can face identical situations with identical stakes but experience them very differently. One person fixates on outcomes: “What if I fail? What will they think of me?” This focus generates pressure. The other concentrates on preparation, action, and the present moment: “What’s the next best move I can make right now?” This eliminates pressure.
Epictetus, another great Stoic philosopher, put it this way: “We are disturbed not by what happens, but by our thoughts about what happens.” High-stakes moments exist outside of us. Pressure, however, is created within us.
Why the distinction matters
Reframing “high-pressure situations” as high-stakes situations changes everything:
From external forces to internal choices: By recognizing that pressure is self-generated, we reclaim control.
From threats to opportunities: High stakes become an invitation to rise to the challenge, grow, act, and adapt. Pressure, by contrast, reduces those stakes to a source of fear.
This shift influences how we prepare and execute. High stakes can inspire focus and energy as we prepare for a pivotal moment. But when it’s time to perform, any lingering focus on outcomes, whether success or failure, disrupts our ability to stay present. Execution demands absolute focus on the now.
Owning the moment
Shakespeare and the Stoics remind us that perception shapes our experience. Pressure, then, is not inevitable; it’s a distraction. It occurs when attention drifts toward imagined outcomes instead of actionable steps. The solution is simple yet profound:
Reframe the stakes: See them as opportunities to grow, contribute, or succeed, not as threats.
Focus on the present: Let go of the consequences. As Marcus Aurelius advised, “Confine yourself to the present.”
By naming situations accurately as high-stakes moments, we regain clarity, control, and freedom. Pressure isn’t just unnecessary for success; success comes more consistently without it.
The next time you find yourself in a pivotal moment, resist the urge to call it “high-pressure.” Call it what it truly is: a high-stakes moment. Let the stakes inspire your best effort. Pressure only gets in the way.
Read more from Brian Hite, Ph.D.
Brian Hite, Ph.D., Owner/ CEO of Brian Hite Global
Dr. Brian Hite, a renowned performance psychologist, coach, and Hollywood stuntman, helps individuals and organizations redefine their relationship with pressure. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in high-stakes environments, he empowers clients to dismantle the illusion of pressure, unlock clarity, and achieve peak performance. As the creator of the PressureX program and author of Begin Again: Utilize the Wisdom of Eastern and Western Ideologies to Achieve Your Full Potential, Dr. Hite is currently working on his next book, Flow Under Fire: A Stuntman’s Guide to Pressure.
Discover more about Dr. Brian Hite’s work and resources here.
