Perform when it matters most.
You know what you’re capable of. But when the stakes rise — an interview, a test, a presentation, a competition, a conversation you’ve been dreading — something changes.
That’s pressure. And pressure is not something you simply have to live with.
about 2 minutes
Pressure is inevitable.
Your response is trainable.
What you actually leave with
Not notes, and not “try to relax.” A written plan for your specific moment — what to do the night before, in the room, and if it starts going wrong.
Built for one moment
Not general advice about confidence. A plan for the interview on the 14th, the presentation next month, the match on Saturday.
Rehearsed, not just written
We run the situation before you have to live it — so the plan is something you’ve already done once, rather than something you read.
A check-in afterwards
We look at what happened without judging it, and the plan gets better for the next one. Pressure situations keep coming.
Where does pressure find you?
Pick the one that sounds most like your life right now.
Academics
- High-stakes tests
- Presentations
- On-the-spot moments
- Group projects
Sports
- Performing tight
- Fear of failure
- Confidence swings
- Great in practice, tight in competition
Career
- Interviews
- Job changes
- Negotiations
- High-stakes meetings
Life
- Difficult conversations
- Relationships
- Major decisions
- Conflict you keep avoiding
What would you do differently if pressure wasn’t getting in the way?
Pressure usually doesn’t stop you from knowing what to do. It stops you from doing what you already know you can do.
The Four Rs of Pressure Performance
Pressure isn’t the problem. How you respond to pressure is — and that response is the part we train.
Recognize
Identify your pressure triggers and understand how pressure affects your thoughts, emotions and performance.
Rehearse
Prepare your mind and body for pressure before the moment arrives. Practice how you want to think, feel and respond.
Respond
Execute in the moment. Stay present, trust your preparation, and focus on what you can control.
Reset
Let go of the last play, mistake, meeting or moment — and when it goes well, stay level too. Keep or regain your composure, and get ready for what’s next.
I was the guy who choked.
Growing up in Edina, Minnesota, I was one of the best baseball players in town. I could hit, field and steal bases at a very high level — right up until there was pressure on me. When the game was on the line, I was not the guy you wanted at bat. I would stand there hoping to draw a walk, just so the pressure would lift.
At sixteen I struck out twice in a state tournament game, both times with the bases loaded, to end our season. I went home and blamed myself for everything. I started to think I was destined to be a good player who consistently choked.
Then at seventeen I learned techniques to embrace pressure, neutralize it, and actually enjoy it.
I went from being a choke artist to being nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” by my teammates.
Game-winning hits in a state championship and a national championship. A year earlier I could not have imagined performing that well in big moments.
That is why I do this. Whether it is a ballgame, a test, an interview or a conversation you have been dreading, the goal is simple: perform the best you can today. Not perfect, and not always winning — but not controlled by fear either.
Patrick Donohue is an ICF Certified (PCC) life, career and executive coach who has worked with more than 900 clients across 41 states. His coaching expertise includes career, students, relationships, time and stress management, parenting, mindset, and developing positive habits.
Patrick is a Northwestern graduate, a Division I athlete and a former high school educator. He has presented and coached in over a hundred school districts and businesses on topics including leadership, mindset, building championship teams and positive habits. He has also authored a parenting book and created an online parenting course.
To all his engagements, Patrick brings a strong sense of preparation, keen insight, and a dry sense of humor.
The Pressure Coach is a specialty practice of Donohue Consulting, Inc. — the same coach, focused on the moments that count most.
Pressure Wins
I want to thank Coach Pat for getting me out of a career-changing slump and struggle. Coach Pat and I used visualization. We created plans of attack, and it got me out of a slump and back on my feet. I want to thank Coach Pat for giving me the confidence I needed to play baseball and to have success. Staying present. Staying focused. Attacking. Thanks, Coach Pat.
Working with Coach Pat made such a huge difference during some of the toughest times in medical school and intern year of residency. He helped me get organized, develop effective plans for my exams, and learn how to manage the pressure and stress that come with medical training. Having his guidance and support made those challenging periods feel much more manageable, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything he has done for me.
Coach Pat helped me re-frame the social pressure I was feeling. Using techniques I learned from him like neutral thinking and assuming positive intent, I’ve been able to improve my relationships and create new ones. Coach Pat provides perspective and helps give a positive, non-biased opinion to help me work through these issues.
About four years ago I was going through one of the darkest times in my relationship. I tried couples counseling, and other modalities, and nothing worked. I started working with Coach Patrick and everything started to shift. He gave me tools to empower myself and to process my relationship in a new way. Today I’m reunited with my husband after almost 3 years of separation. Thank you, Coach Patrick, for the guidance, tools, and support that helped me find my way back to myself, and to save my marriage.
Got something important coming up?
An interview, a test, a presentation, a competition, a decision, a conversation you’ve been putting off. Let’s talk about it before it arrives — pressure has a deadline, and so should the plan.
Think about situations where the outcome matters to you — competition, tryouts, auditions, presentations, interviews, exams, or other high-pressure moments.
Where should we send your Pressure Report?
Your score appears on the very next screen. The full written report — every answer, what each one means, and what to do about it — goes to your inbox so you still have it the week it matters.
Pressure is inevitable.
Your response is trainable.
The issue may not be your ability.
The issue may be accessing your ability under pressure.
Build a personal Pressure Plan that helps you manage your attention, thoughts, emotions, physical response and behavior when it matters most.
So what do you actually do about it?
If you have a specific moment coming up, bring it to a Pressure Consult and we’ll work out what your plan needs to cover. Free, and there’s no pitch at the end of it.
Your pressure profile
These are the two categories you scored highest. They’re the clearest signal of how pressure actually shows up for you — and the best place to begin.
All five, scored
What’s coming up that you’d handle differently?
If there’s a specific moment on your calendar, that’s exactly what the Pressure Consult is for. Bring the situation — we’ll work out what your Pressure Plan needs to cover.
Former Division I baseball player. Fifteen years coaching. Once nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” — after two years of being the opposite.
A specialty practice of Donohue Consulting, Inc.Your full Pressure Report is on its way to your inbox
All five categories written out, what each one means, and one thing to try before your next high-stakes moment. Keep it somewhere you’ll find it the week it matters.