Pressure moments such as a sudden Q&A from the CEO, a difficult negotiation, or a crisis phone call, are where performance is tested. In these moments, we cannot afford to wait for confidence to arrive; we need to access it instantly.

I use a simple, powerful tool from coaching known as Anchoring. This is about creating a deliberate, physical and mental link to your most resourceful state.

Think of it as having an Internal Dial for confidence that you can turn up in under three seconds.

The 3-Second Ritual:

1. The Trigger: Identify a distinct physical action you rarely use (e.g., pressing your thumb and middle finger together).

2. The State: Mentally step back into a memory where you felt completely resourceful, authoritative, and successful. Feel the physical sensation of that authority.

3. The Anchor: As the feeling of authority peaks, fire your physical trigger. You are linking the mental state to the physical action.

4. The Test (The 3-Second Access): The next time you face a moment of high pressure, fire the trigger again. Your system will rapidly access the resourceful state you need.

True confidence is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to access your competence when the stakes are highest.