As cool temperatures arrive, remember to check your car’s tire pressure. Too low or too high and you have less control and faster, uneven wear. Similarly, there’s an ideal amount of pressure required to optimize your personal performance.

You may think a pressure free life is ideal or aspirational. But actually we humans generally excel when propelled by positive pressure, elevated by examples of those we admire, and responsible for something meaningful and time sensitive. The right kind of pressure can help  you get up and go, stay focused, and feel worthy.

Too much pressure and you feel you might explode. Bad news, a loss of optimism, or financial uncertainty can leave you deflated. Neither extreme is healthy or sustainable. What we need are some go-to measures to adjust our pressure for the better.

First, you need pressure valves – means for releasing steam and tension. For me these involve physical exercise, spiritual practices, and creative hobbies. Find what works for you. When pressure builds in relationships, you can release it by taking responsibility, talking it out, or sharing a laugh.

Sometimes you need to release obligations and adjust expectations – yours or someone else’s. If it’s not something you want or need to do, let it go and relieve the unnecessary burden.

Or, you may need to go the other way. Add some positive pressure by setting a clear goal or accepting a new responsibility. Show up for someone else and make a promise to follow through for them, and for you. Purposeful pressure brings energy and clarity to your life.

Simply existing “pressure free” makes a nice vacation but an unfulfilling life. So invite the pressure that will propel you for the people and principles you value, the beliefs you cherish, and the practices that will strengthen your resolve. Until next week stay Off Balance On Purpose.