While I was in school, one day, one of our lecturers walked into the class and called for an impromptu test. Almost half of the class were not ready for it, while the others welcomed it. When he set the test, what I observed was that the people who had been preparing ahead of time were calm and relaxed, but the others who did not prepare were noticeably panicking. What I realised from that was the pressure of the impromptu test was not what created the confidence in some and fear in the others, rather it only revealed their level of preparation. What this explains is that the pressures and challenges of life that come to you will not create a "you" from nowhere, but will reveal who you are. They will show the level of preparedness to take on the challenges and the pressures.
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One of the things that you need to understand is that if the challenges of life overwhelm you, it is not because they are bigger than you, nor is it because they are supposed to overcome you, but simply because you are not prepared for them. A lot of people misunderstand pressure. They think that pressure creates strength, weakness, or character. But what they really do not understand is that pressure does not actually create who you are, it only reveals it. It reveals what you have built over time. It shows the depth of your preparation, resilience, and of course, your mindset.
When life hits you with demands and other rough situations, your response is rarely random. Your response is more likely to be a reflection of your habits, your discipline, and who you really are on the inside. For example, if you have been practising how to be focused, then the pressure will reveal your ability to remain calm even in the presence of challenges. If you are a person of value, then pressure will reveal your integrity. If you have trained yourself to be persistent, then pressure will reveal your endurance. Pressure does not create an alien "you," rather it shows what is on your inside. The response you give at the face of challenges has actually been forming inside you even before the manifestation of the challenges.
Have you ever seen an athlete performing excellently in the presence of crowds during the championship? The pressure from the crowd, the high stakes, the tension, etc, will make it look like the athlete is doing something out of the world. But the athlete did not just develop the skills on the field, it revealed hours of hard work, training, and development even before the competition. It is because he trained extensively that he was able to perform under pressure. If you build confidence steadily over time, it will become visible when it matters the most. Pressure simply does not create it, rather it reveals it.
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Instead of being scared of pressure, you should learn to prepare for it. Instead of hoping that challenges will not come, you should prepare yourself and get ready for it. Strengthen your mindset, get better on your skills, and build your discipline better. Then when pressure comes, because it will definitely come, it will not break you, rather it will become an opportunity to show what you are made of. It is what you have built inside you over the time that will become what will manifest when you are faced with life's challenges. You cannot only pour water from a container that has water inside it. This is not about water though.
It is worthy to note that pressure is not your enemy. It is actually the stage where you can display the excellence within you. Understand that diamond is formed under intense pressure. In the same way, the treasure inside you will find expression when life throws certain challenges at you. Just the same way that your muscles will grow and develop when you challenge it, your mental ability and you inner strength also become more enhanced when they are challenged. When you understand that challenges are actually beneficial to you, and that they reveal who you really are, you will begin to look positively to challenges and pressure.
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