Choke by Sian Beilock #2209

Today’s book: Choke by Sian Beilock—a powerful dive into why smart, skilled performers fail under pressure—and how to thrive when it matters most.

Here’s your 1-minute summary:

• Overthinking kills performance. Pressure leads high achievers to analyze automatic skills, disrupting flow.

• Worry depletes working memory. Anxiety steals mental space, causing even smart people to stumble under stress.

• Practice under pressure. Simulated stress training builds mental resilience and reduces choking.

• Use distraction wisely. A simple trick like humming or whistling frees the mind to let skills flow automatically.

• Pause to reset. Mindfulness and short mental breaks help clear worry and restore focus during high-stakes tasks.

Pressure is inevitable—but underperformance doesn’t have to be. What will you prepare for so you can shine when it counts?

As always, check out the Notes in the app and Peak Performance 101, where I talk about how to perform at your best when it matters most.