Winning without stress - Times Of India - Sat, 01 May 2010 In a highly stressed, extremely competitive world, everything is a contest. Everyone is bound to face competitions. It is exhilarating to win. However, the downside is that many pay an emotional price when they lose. Basics of stress Stress is generally good for you as it keeps you primed, and brings the best out of you. This is positive stress. However,if the stressful situation is pent up, and not converted through action, or when you cannot handle it, it can hurt you. It becomes distress. Distress can affect your health, and if it is not properly tackled, it can cause permanent damage - mentally and physically. Some tips to use the benefits of stress and discard the damaging factors: Preparation This is one of the key tools. Practice, and make sure you are practicing right. Practice with a mentor/coach, and you will get insights that could cut short your learning curve and give you an edge. Being prepared is half the battle won. Use the positive stress to help you work longer,or better,and prepare a little more. Research your subject matter from different sources on the Internet. Ask for advice from fellow competitors or seniors.Over-prepared is better than being under-prepared. Think positive More competitions are won because someone else lost than for any other reason. Ensure that you are mentally prepared to win, as opposed to being determined not to lose.During the contest, use affirmations to keep you charged and to root out any negativity. 'I can and I will' is a favourite of many. 'I am the best' is another one.Don't spend time with nay-sayers,and doomsday astrologers. They will feed you with so much of the negative that you might as well drop out of the contest. If you have to talk to someone, make sure that person is a 'positive' person.Remember,it is your contest, and your responsibility to be at your peak. Have faith Just before you get into a contest, believe that you are as well-prepared as can be, and that you will have fun doing your best. Do not think about the competition, or the results. That is for the judges to fret over.Your duty is to have fun.The results are only an indication of your relative standing on that day. If the results are in your favour, understand that this is only an indication that you have what it takes to win, but there are miles to go before you sleep. What's next? The moment a winner sits on his laurels, he is assured of soon becoming history. If the results are not favourable, do not fret, fume or curse. Remember that the attempt may not have succeeded, but you did by taking part. The only loser is the one who did not try. The worst thing you can do is to bad-mouth the contest. Don't forget that you have endorsed it, by participating in it. Instead, get back to the plan, and check what else you could have done. In case you can compete again, what will you need to work on? Is there an expert who can give you some advice, or guidance? Also, get some amateur views, which may not amount to much, most of the time, but once in a while you will get a golden nugget of advice that could help you in a big way. Competition is today's answer to separate the chafe from the grain. Take it in the right spirit and it will help you reach higher levels. The day you stop competing is the day you resign yourself to the past. So stay competitive, and remember to have fun. Ian Faria. (The author is a corporate trainer, motivational speaker, counselor and consultant who specializes in Organizational and Personal Enhancement). faria@a-pep.com