Handling Pressure: 3 Fantastic Quotes To Help Us Cope

Handling pressure and stress is often difficult.  We live in a fast-paced world that is sometimes very unforgiving.  The pressures we have to deal with at work and at home seem relentless.  It can start to become too much to handle.  However, before you give up, you should seek wisdom from others that have dealt with pressure and made it.

Fantastic quotes to guide us in handling pressure

Our ability to handle pressure is determined in our attitude toward it.  Getting our thinking about pressure straight will help us to hold up even in the most difficult of times.

1.  Pressure refines us like gold and makes us stronger

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure”
~ Peter Marshall

I have certainly been guilty of longing for a life without difficulties and pressure.  I have wished that certain situations would just go away.  Of course, they don’t at least not immediately.  Not until I have learned the lesson I needed to learn from it.

In the middle of the struggle it is hard to accept that the pressure we are feeling is shaping us into something bigger and stronger.  However, this is how life works.  We have to remind ourselves to bend, but not to break in these difficult times.  Fighting the pressure is often what pushes us to the brink.

2.  Recognize the difference between internal and external pressure

“The only pressure I’m under is the pressure I’ve put on myself.”
~ Mark Messier

I don’t know about you, but I put a lot of pressure on myself in certain situations.  Please don’t misunderstand.  There are external circumstances that create pressure.  However, there are also times when the pressure mostly comes from within.

Where is your pressure coming from?  Is all of it external?  Learn to let yourself off the hook.  This is where the Serenity Prayer is especially useful.

3.  The worst case scenario is usually not as bad as we imagine

“In the game of life it’s a good idea to have a few early losses, which relives you of the pressure of trying to maintain an undefeated season.”
~ Lee Trevino

I usually build things up in my mind to an exaggerated state.  I imagine all kinds of terrible outcomes.  None of which come to pass.  In reality, the worst that happens is usually not that hard to handle. 

A failure or setback from time-to-time teaches us a lesson and reminds us that we can deal with it.  If you aren’t failing once in awhile, then you probably aren’t undertaking big enough endeavors.  Don’t be so afraid to fail!

Handling pressure is possible with the right attitude

The quotes above won’t make a stressful situation go away completely, but if we let their wisdom sink in, we will improve our ability to handle pressure.  We have to learn to let go of the things we cannot control.  Fighting back against the pressures of life is futile.  We must learn to be more flexible and go with the flow to cope the best way possible.

Photo by Orin Optiglot