Have you ever been under the gun in terms of facing a pressing deadline?  Of course, you have, we have all experienced this at one time or another.

The real question is this; can you possess a sense of urgency without panic, so that you can remain focused on getting the job done.

In what was without question the best Super Bowl ever, the Patriots were down by 25 points, and the clock was their worst enemy. Yet despite the enormity of the task before them, Tom Brady and his team remained focused and persevered, never wavering in their belief that they would win.

In fact, following the game, several commentators expressed surprise that when the Patriots went into their dressing room at halftime down 21 to 3, they acted like champions. What was most remarkable was that the team had no doubt, no worry, just the discipline to concentrate on what they needed to do in the second half.

Ironically, I recently watched a special on the Buffalo Bills who had made it to four consecutive Super Bowls and lost all four. In the last one they went into the dressing room at halftime with the lead, but the opposing team’s quarterback from the Cowboys noticed that they looked uneasy and lacked confidence when they were leaving the field. For him, this was a key observation that told him they did not believe that they could win. Sure enough, the wheels fell off for the Bills, and the Cowboys came back and beat them badly in the second half.

With the Patriots, it was different. There was a sense of urgency, especially when they fell behind 28 to 3 midway through the third quarter. But they persevered and, staying with what they knew would work, successfully executed their game plan.

Are you facing what seems like an insurmountable challenge today? What’s your inner voice saying to you?

What you need to do first and foremost, is to adopt a sense of urgency with optimism. Second, you must believe in yourself and that you will be successful. Finally, act like you have already won, and start walking like a champion.

It worked for Tom Brady and the Patriots, and it will work for you.

P.S.  Don’t miss the upcoming Art of WOW, scheduled for March 7-8, for women who want to honor their convictions and embrace their courage! www.usheroff.com/art-of-wow