Managing Stress When Performance Feels Like Everything

Our Ambassador, Paul Stevenson, shares his experience with managing stress when performance feels like everything.

I’ve had to navigate my fair share of pressure over the years, from school reports that painted me as lazy or disruptive to standing on a stage delivering talks to medical professionals about Tourette’s and Neurodiversity. The pressure to “perform” has always been there, and for a long time, I thought that meant I had to push through the stress, no matter what.

But here’s the thing: stress and performance have a complicated relationship. A bit of pressure can sharpen focus, but too much? It becomes overwhelming. For me, stress often shows up as physical tics or mental fog, my brain goes into overdrive, and suddenly even simple tasks feel impossible.

I used to think that meant I was failing, that I just needed to try harder or work longer. But over time, I’ve realised that managing stress isn’t about powering through, it’s about knowing when to pause and reset.

What’s helped me?

Taking breaks – Even when I feel like I don’t have time for them, stepping away gives my brain the reset it needs.

Chunking tasks – Big goals feel less intimidating when I break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Being realistic – I’ve learned to be honest with myself about what’s possible and to stop measuring my success against unrealistic standards.

Self-compassion – Some days, I’m just not going to be at my best and that’s okay.

Stress doesn’t mean you’re weak or incapable, it’s a sign that you need to adjust the balance. Performance isn’t about grinding yourself into the ground; it’s about finding the pace and rhythm that works for you.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, maybe the solution isn’t to push harder, maybe it’s to give yourself the grace to step back. That’s not weakness, that’s strategy.

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