7.13 Peyton Manning: Confidence Through Pressure

“Pressure is something you feel when you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ve got to be confident when you’re competing. You’ve got to be a confident player. That comes from preparation.” - Peyton Manning 

How do you handle pressure? Do you thrive in it, or do you melt in it?

When I was growing up, coaches would say, “Pressure can bust pipes or make diamonds.” How you respond to it can either break you or bring out the best in you.

Under too much stress, some people get overwhelmed, panic, shut down, or fall apart. Others grow stronger, sharper, and more focused, and rise to the challenge.

Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. He said, “Pressure is something you feel when you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ve got to be confident when you’re competing. You’ve got to be a confident player. That comes from preparation.”

The times when I feel more confident are the times when I’m most prepared, so prepare relentlessly. Know what success looks like and what you need to do to be and feel successful. If you cut corners or don’t fully prepare, the moment can feel overwhelming.

Confidence isn’t about pretending you're the best. It’s about knowing you’ve done the work. You’ve watched the film, taken the reps, practiced the speech, drilled that play, or rehearsed that conversation. The nerves might still be there, but they don’t control you.

Performing under pressure is all about performing when it matters most. And when it matters most, your preparation shows. That’s why the best leaders, athletes, and teammates prepare like it always matters — because one day, it will.

Question of the Day: What’s one thing you can do to prepare better for high-pressure situations?