Why Stress Actually Can Be Good for You
Why Stress Actually Can Be Good for You
Most people see stress as the enemy, something to be avoided, managed, or eliminated. But what if I told you that stress isn’t actually the problem? The way you interpret it is.
In The Confident Mind, Dr. Nate Zinsser explains that our physiological response to stress—like an increased heart rate, adrenaline rush, and heightened alertness—is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that our body is preparing to perform at its best.
This perspective shift can be a gamechanger for lawyers, athletes, and professionals in any high-pressure environment. Instead of viewing stress as something that will hold you back, you can train yourself to see it as a competitive advantage.
Reframing Stress: A High Performer’s Secret Weapon
Think about the last time you faced a big challenge. Maybe it was arguing a case in court, walking into a make-or-break meeting, or preparing for an athletic competition. What did you feel? If you experienced a racing heart, sweaty palms, or butterflies in your stomach, that wasn’t your body betraying you. No, it was actually priming you for peak performance.
Studies show that how we think about stress influences how it affects us. In The Upside of Stress, Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal shares compelling research showing that stress itself isn’t the problem. It’s our beliefs about stress that determine whether it helps or harms us. When people were taught to view stress as a challenge rather than a threat, their health, resilience, and performance improved dramatically.
Instead of trying to calm down or eliminate stress, McGonigal suggests we embrace it, recognizing it as a sign that we care, that we’re engaged, and that our bodies are gearing up to help us succeed.
What Elite Athletes Know About Pressure
Athletes understand this concept intuitively. In Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect, Dr. Bob Rotella emphasizes the power of mental discipline under pressure. Golf is a game that constantly challenges a player’s ability to handle stress; every swing, every putt, every hole presents an opportunity to either thrive or unravel mentally. Rotella teaches players to trust their preparation, embrace the pressure, and focus on the present moment rather than letting anxiety take over.
His book How Champions Think expands on this idea by showing that mental strength isn’t just about handling pressure. It’s about expecting success. Champions approach every challenge with the belief that they deserve to succeed because they’ve put in the work. This isn’t arrogance; it’s confidence born from preparation.
Rotella makes it clear that the best performers—whether in sports, business, or law—don’t hope they’ll do well. They expect to do well because they’ve conditioned themselves to embrace pressure, trust their skills, and focus on what they can control.
The Power of “I’m Ready”
One of the simplest yet most powerful mindset shifts is replacing “I’m so nervous” with “I’m ready.”
I’ve seen this firsthand in my legal career and in coaching high performers. The language we use shapes our reality. If you tell yourself you’re anxious, your brain will look for evidence to support that belief. But if you tell yourself you’re prepared, your body and mind will work together to prove it true.
High achievers don’t avoid stress—they use it. The key is learning how to harness that energy rather than letting it control you.
The Bottom Line
How You Can Use This Today
The next time you feel stress creeping in, try this:
Reframe the feeling – Instead of saying, “I’m so stressed,” say, “My body is preparing me to perform.”
Adopt a champion’s mindset – As Rotella teaches, champions expect success, not because they’re lucky but because they’ve put in the work. Do the same.
Breathe and focus – Take deep breaths and remind yourself that your body is doing exactly what it’s designed to do.
Shift your language – Say, “I’m ready.” It’s a small shift, but, trust me, it makes a big impact.
#BeElite
Helping you Thrive,
Judy
Founder, Selby Strategies
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