When I was a kid in little league, I had no trouble catching baseballs, unless they were hit really high, and right at me. It seemed like an eternity, waiting for the fly ball to come down. And with all that time, it was easy to think myself into a “miss.”

Similarly, when you’re approaching a big moment, time can slow down. Because this is priority, it dominates your thinking. But there’s not a lot you can do about it just yet. With too much time, you can easily become distracted, complacent, or self destructive.

My profession involves delivering critical speeches at important conferences, like the one today. I’ve had to learn how to move through the preparation, anxiousness, hours, and moments to arrive at each opportunity in peak form. Here are some thoughts that help me and may help you.

1. First, do no harm. Don’t do anything, consciously or unconsciously, to undermine your success or well-being. This can happen as we defensively manufacture excuses to justify potential failure or mediocrity.

2. Handle what matters most. You can’t think about or handle everything. So put thought into what’s essential, and address that thoroughly. Do well what matters most.

3. Mindset over mind-stuffed. As you approach the test, it’s too late to cram. So as you take in real time info, which is essential, don’t pressure yourself to remember everything. Stretch. Rest. Breathe. Aim for your optimum mindset.

4. Be right there. Like the pop up, the trick is to stay present. And catch the double meaning. Be alright with where you are and fully in the moment you occupy.

Active waiting can be the hardest part. So, maybe that’s a skill we can work on. Let’s place increased importance on how we approach big moments when we will slow down to make the play. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.