This book has been written for executives in business who wish to achieve consistent, high level performance under pressure. It is underpinned by published research from leading sport psychologist Professor Graham Jones, which shows that high achievers do more than simply cope with pressure - they thrive on it.

High achievers do more than merely cope with pressure – they thrive on it! This book has been written for executives in business who wish to achieve consistent, high level performance under pressure. It is underpinned by published research form leading sport psychologist Professor Graham Jones, which shows that high achievers do more than simply cope with pressure – they thrive on it! The vital factor in thriving on pressure and moving to higher levels of business performance is the development of mental toughness. By applying elite sport psychology to the business world, this book highlights the enormous role played by pressure in both business and sport and draws parallels between them. It shows how, by developing mental toughness, it is possible to manage pressure to such an extent that you are able consistently to deliver extraordinary levels of performance. Together with the necessary skills and competencies you need to perform your role, mental toughness is the vital factor in delivering high performance that is sustainable. It will enable you to: • Thrive on, rather than merely cope with, pressure • Maintain belief in yourself even when it’s being seriously challenged • Achieve a level and type of motivation that works for rather than against you •Stay focused on the things that matter in the face of a multitude of potential distractions Contents: Introduction: Adrian’s story • Grahm’s story • Content and layout of the book • Why Mental Toughness Is Important: What is so pressured about sport and business? • The pressures on leaders • Business pressures • What is pressure? • Do only the tough survive • In a nutshell • What Mental Toughness Is: ‘I need to be mentally tough, but what is it’? • What mental toughness is not • What mental toughness is • Chris Andy Scott Emma Studies • Keeping Your Head Under Stress : Stress: the dark side of pressure • What do you do with your stress? • Stress: what is it and what are its effects? • Stress: how to control it and keep your head • Controlling the effects of stress: symptom-focused strategies • Challenging the thinking that causes you stress: appraisal-focused strategies • Tackling the situations and circumstances that cause you stress: situation-focused strategies • Staying Strong In Your Self-Belief: What does self-belief look and sound like? • What is self-belief? • Developing self-esteem • Developing self-confidence • Making Your Motivation Work for You : How far are you prepared to go to achieve your ambitions? • So what’s next? • Some key questions about motivation • A closer look at internal and external motivation • So what is optimal motivation? • Self-determining your motivation through setting goals • Maintaining Your Focus on the Things that Matter : Are you focused on your focus? • Focus and mental toughness • Switching focus • Frequently-Asked Questions About Mental Toughness: What difference will it really make if I improve my mental toughness? • Can you be too mentally tough? • Just how easy is it to develop mental toughness? • What about mental toughness in teams? • How is mental toughness different from emotional intelligence? • In a nutshell • wrap-up • Index