A high-pressure situation can do one of two things to most people: it can make one hyperfocused and they go into overdrive, or it can make a person utterly fall to pieces. Paul Sullivan recognized this point of difference and wanted to delve deeper into why this is. His book Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t examines what top performers do under pressure, and how it makes them excel. Drawing upon research from diverse situations, Sullivan is able to expose the secrets of those who thrive under extreme pressure.
The book focuses on the concept of clutch versus choke. Simply put, a clutch person is an individual who has “the ability to do something that you can do under normal circumstances, under extreme pressure,” according to Sullivan. Somebody who chokes is not in touch with his or her ability to focus under pressure.
The book is broken down into three parts. The first examines why people are considered clutch, through their focus, previous discipline, and presence in the moment. It places emphasis on living life without a “Plan B” -- a fight-or-flight mentality that drives people to ensure that their first option not only won’t, but can’t fail. Naturally, Part II then focuses on why people choke. Sullivan attributes over thinking and overconfidence to why people often crumble under pressure. The book wraps up in a final section, How to Be Clutch.
The book, dubbed “perceptive” and “original” by Publishers Weekly, is something worth reading regardless of your experience under pressure. Those who are quick to recoil at the first signs of stress will surely take away the professional skills illustrated in Sullivan’s examples. Even if you consider yourself a pressure pro, it’s still a good idea to give the book a try. You’ll soon find that there’s always room for improvement, and the tips and tricks just may help you get an even better handle on your prowess.
Paul Sullivan is a writer living in Stamford, Connecticut. He writes for the Wealth Matters column of the New York Times, and was also a reporter for the Financial Times for six years. Clutch is his first book. To learn more about Sullivan and to get a free 100-page preview of Clutch, visit his website at www.PaulJSullivan.com.
Posted by Amanda Huggins on October 26, 2010 12:42 PM
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