From the Student Perspective: Holden Macneish

How Do You Deal with the Pressure of Competition?

Being a high-level athlete and competitor, I’ve always had to deal with pressure. I used to break down and crumble under pressure, but over time I’ve learned to blossom and thrive with pressure.

For me I deal with pressure in three main ways. The first is confidence. You must have confidence in your ability. Confidence comes from preparation, because I know my hard work and practice will always prepare me for competition and those game-winning moments when I’m under pressure. I also gain confidence under pressure through ritual. For example, if I know I have a big game ahead, I’ll do the same thing as if it were a normal game because I know that ritual works for me.

The second thing that helps me deal with pressure is having fun. I think of why I started my sport; I was just a little kid without a care in the world having fun. I learned to enjoy moments of pressure through losing and losing and losing and then finally winning. There’s no better feeling than that, so I learned to strive through the tough times of pressure for that winning feeling. I know I won’t always win, but I will always compete even under pressure.

Last but certainly not least I deal with pressure through religion. I am a Christian, so I know under whatever pressure and faced with whatever problems, God will ALWAYS have a plan for me even if sometimes I want my own plan.