Release the Pressure

How to thrive as a public, sensitive leader

As I emerged from my morning meditation, one word came forward: PRESSURE.

Defined as a continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it, or the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something.

Sometimes pressure comes from outside influences, but often we apply pressure to ourselves — through thinking patterns, beliefs and expectations.

Pressure rarely feels good, but we’ve been conditioned to think pressure is necessary to get things accomplished.

I’m not quite so sure.

In our modern society, we experience pressure in many ways. Career responsibilities, family obligations, messages that we need to look a certain way, make a certain amount of money, live a certain lifestyle. One deadline after another, coming at you without mercy.

We think we make autonomous decisions, but I’m exploring how many of my actions are frequently driven by pressures I feel inside, and externally.

Pressure is the worst energy for me. As a highly sensitive and highly intuitive person, I need more time to process everything. I think deeply and hold strong feelings about what I do and how I show up. I pay attention to…