Stress(ed) for Success: The Truth About How Stress Helps Performance

P1: Becoming Stress(ed) for Success

You probably already have a good idea of what stress is and what it feels like to be stressed out.

But what if we reframe the narrative?

In this 3-part series, we’ll explore a stress mindshift. How stress, when understood, can actually help rather than harm.

Let’s start with the basics.

If you were to open a dictionary, you’d see stress defined as:

“A state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.”

Accurate? Sure. But it doesn’t paint the full picture.

Stress is part of our everyday lives, whether we notice it or not. It might show up as the tightness in your chest before a big meeting, the racing thoughts while juggling deadlines, or the tension that builds when life feels overwhelming.

In real terms, stress is your body’s response to anything that demands attention or action.(Remember that line, we’ll come back to it)

Stress in Real Life

We often treat stress like the enemy: a critic that whispers,

“You’re not ready.”

“You’ll mess this up.”

“You have to get this done, or else.”

It brings mental clutter, emotional pressure, and physical tension. Heart racing. Muscles tightening. Overthinking kicking in hard, especially when something really matters.

But here's a reminder you might need: stress is a natural part of being human. The problem isn't that stress exists, it’s that most of us don’t know how to relate to it.

Whether you’re an overthinker or a high performer who freezes under pressure, the issue isn’t stress itself, it’s your awareness of it.

It’s easy to label stress as the bad guy, but is it?

Here’s a MindShift : Stress Isn’t the Problem

The real issue is when stress operates on autopilot. You react without thinking, spiraling into a sea of worries before you even know it’s happening. That’s not your fault, it’s a pattern.

The first step toward changing that pattern is simple but powerful: Awareness.

Think of awareness like turning on a flashlight in a dark room. You suddenly notice:

• When stress creeps in (before it explodes)

• What triggers it (people, pressure, uncertainty)

• How it affects your body, thoughts, and behavior

With that clarity, you can respond intentionally instead of reacting automatically.

Whether you’re an overthinker who plays out every possible scenario in your head or someone prone to self-sabotage because the pressure makes you freeze, stress is likely a frequent guest in your life. The trick isn’t to eliminate stress altogether (spoiler: stress free is a myth...sorry not sorry) but to understand what it’s trying to tell you.

What were going to explore...and breathe as you read this bit, Stress isn't the Problem.

How to Build Awareness: Your Daily Stress Routine

Over the next few days, I want you to do quick check-ins with yourself:

• “How am I feeling right now?”

• “Where do I feel tension in my body?”

• “What thoughts are running through my mind?”

These questions reveal stress patterns that are usually invisible.

For example, if you notice your chest tightens every time you check email, that’s a pattern. That’s information. And it’s the first step toward change.

Being aware of stress doesn’t mean you’ll never feel it or feel overwhelmed. Instead, it’s about recognizing the early signs of stress before it spirals out of control. This might look like noticing when your thoughts start racing or when your body tenses up. It’s in these moments that you can pause, take a breath, and assess what’s going on.

Are you putting too much pressure on yourself? Are you overestimating the challenge ahead? Awareness gives you the space to challenge the narrative stress creates.

By tuning into how stress shows up for you, you gain control over it rather than letting it control you.

This is just the FIRST STEP...

You don’t need to eliminate stress (nor can you, it's a part of life). But you can build awareness so you’re no longer controlled by it.

Stress doesn’t have to be a villain, it can be a signal and even a tool for growth.

Instead of seeing stress as something negative, view it as information, something that could actually be helpful.

That’s the focus in Part 2 of this blog series.

It’s one thing to recognize stress; it’s another to change how you view it...so its ok if you're not sold on the idea just yet.

Go to Part 2

Have Questions?

Let's Chat About Your Relationship With Stress.

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