Michael Jordan, the most well-known basketball player, hit 49.7% of his shots over his career.

His percentage when taking game-winning shots? 48.0%.

Crazy, right?

No player has ever been considered more reliable under extreme stress, and he was just slightly worse under pressure than he was under normal game conditions.

Pressure affects everyone. It influences some more than others.

Regardless of your current ability to deal with pressure, you can do better.

Did you hear about the guy who has been thinking about taking up meditation?

He figures it’s better than sitting around doing nothing.

Have you ever been under intense stress?

I sure have.

Your ability to manage pressure can influence every part of your life:

• Your physical health
• Your mental and emotional health
• Your financial health 
• Your relationships
• Your ability to lead by example

Since pressure is a common part of life, learning to handle it appropriately makes a lot of sense.

How to Manage Stress Like a Zen Master

Staying calm in a distracted world will help you lead a more fulfilling life.

With all of the noise and chaos, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and lose your peace of mind.

Practice these six simple strategies to stay centered and maintain your composure, no matter what's happening around you.

1. Manage your thoughts

Your mind is constantly bombarded with information, and it's up to you to decide what you focus on.

You can either choose to dwell on the negative and allow yourself to become anxious and stressed, or you can choose to focus on the positive and cultivate a sense of peace and gratitude.

It's important to remember that you have the power to choose your thoughts.

Your attitude shapes your reality.

2. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the habit of being present in the moment and paying attention to your feelings without judgment.

When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of your thoughts and can learn to observe them without getting caught up in them.

This can help you stay centered and calm, even in the midst of chaos.

3. Don't text while driving

One surefire path to managing stress is to reduce distractions in your life.

Start by setting boundaries with technology, like saying "no" to texting while driving.

I mean, come on people, what happened to the good old days when you could just drive and sing along to the radio?

There are cars flying all over the place and you're checking your phone like you're at a picnic or something.

It's like people think they're invincible.

You're like, "I'm a great driver, I can multitask, I got this."

And then you're swerving all over the road like you just had a bottle of wine for lunch.

And let me tell you, nothing makes me more nervous than being in a car with someone who's texting and driving.

I'm like, "Hey, I'm a fitness coach, I wanna die doing hill sprints, not in a car accident."

I was driving the other day and saw this guy swerving all over the road.

I thought to myself, "Wow, this guy is either really drunk or really bad at driving."

But then I saw him with his phone in his hand, texting away like he was writing a novel or something. I was like, "Oh, he's just an idiot."

And it's not just the idiots out there. Even the smartest, most put-together people can't resist the temptation of checking their phone while driving.

I mean, have you ever been in the car with a mom who just got a text from her kid's teacher?

She's like, "Hold on a sec, I just need to check this." And then she's swerving all over the road and you're like, "Lady, do you want me to drive?"

But seriously, texting and driving is like playing a game of chicken with yourself.

You're risking your own life and the lives of everyone around you.

And for what? So you can send a text that says, "k."

Really? That's worth dying for?

And it's not just texting, it's all these goofy apps too.

You have people checking their Facebook, their Instagram, their TikTok. Meanwhile, they're running red lights and nearly causing pileups.

I was driving the other day and saw this guy with his phone in his hand, scrolling through his Twitter feed like he was the president or something.

I think we can all agree that texting and driving is dangerous and stupid.

If you need to send a text, just pull over and do it. Or better yet, wait until you get to your destination.

And if you see someone texting and driving, don't be afraid to speak up.

It's not snitching, it's saving lives.

4. Prioritize self-care

When you take care of yourself, you are better equipped to handle stress and uncertainty.

This might mean getting deep sleep, following portion-controlled nutrition, training smart, or taking time to do the constructive things you enjoy.

You can even practice deep breathing.

Try this: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds.

Rinse and repeat until you feel calm.

When you prioritize self-care, you give yourself the strength and resilience you need to face whatever challenges come your way.

5. Cultivate a sense of faith

Another key to staying calm in a distracted world is to trust in something greater than yourself.

Whether that's a higher power, the universe, or simply the goodness of humanity, having a sense of faith can help you stay centered and calm in the face of uncertainty.

When you trust that everything is working out for your highest good, you can let go of the need to control every aspect of your life and find peace in the present moment.

6. Join a positive support team

Surrounding yourself with a positive support group can be crucial for your well-being and personal growth.

A supportive network can provide encouragement, motivation, and guidance during challenging times, and help you maintain a positive outlook.

Being part of a positive community can foster feelings of belonging and enhance your social connections.

Ultimately, a positive support group can help you navigate life's ups and downs with greater resilience and ease.

Remember, it's your responsibility to take action and use these strategies. 

Staying calm in a distracted world is not always easy, but it is possible.

By controlling your thoughts, practicing mindfulness, reducing distractions, prioritizing self-care, and cultivating faith, you can stay centered and grounded no matter what's happening around you.

Remember, you have the power to choose your thoughts and create your reality.

Trust in yourself, trust in something greater than yourself, and know that everything is working out for your highest good.

To your success,

Coach Joe

P.S. I think we need to come up with some new slogans to get people to stop texting and driving. Like, "Texting and driving: because swerving is just a fun way to change lanes."

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women get leaner, stronger, and happier. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to lose weight from home, with the best online longevity personal trainer, or you want to visit the best age-management personal trainer in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.