At the highest level of any pursuit, the difference between the two top performers in a contest is always mental. One holds it together—while the other falls apart. The same is true in business. Whether you are confronting a crisis, making a pitch, negotiating a deal, or facing a deadline, your mindset can give you the edge.

When the Pressure’s On brings peak performance principles to the boardroom, revealing five core mental skills that enable professionals to excel while under duress:

Goal Setting—become mission-driven

Adaptive Thinking—replace negative thoughts with positive ones

Stress/Energy Management—keep your cool no matter what

Attention Control—maintain focus despite distractions

Imagery—see success before it happens

Together, the skills form the core of this complete brain-training program, which is packed with guidelines, examples, exercises, assessments, and the latest advances in biofeedback and neuroscience. By learning to harness the power of your mind, you’ll achieve extraordinary results when it matters most.

About the Author

LOUIS S. CSOKA, PH.D. has specialized in teaching performance under pressure for more than 30 years. He is President of Apex Performance, which trains clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to professional athletes. As a Professor of Psychology & Leadership at West Point, he adapted sports psychology to the demands of the military and founded the school’s pioneering Center for Enhanced Performance.