When the pressure’s on, how do you show up? For leaders, the “big games” aren’t just reserved for championship-level moments—they happen every day in boardrooms, negotiations, and high-stakes decisions. But what separates those who rise to the occasion from those who crumble under the weight isn’t just preparation—it’s how they talk to themselves, reset after setbacks, and stay locked into the moment. The secret weapon of peak performers lies in mastering the fundamentals: preparation, presence, and recovery. And the good news? These same tools are available to you.
Just like elite athletes and world-class performers, leaders can train their minds and bodies to perform under pressure by sticking to the fundamentals: practice in private, rapid recovery through self-talk, and the ability to reset focus with breath and belief. With lessons from Coach K’s legendary “Next Play” philosophy and step-by-step plays for real-world business use, this leadership playbook will help you execute with confidence, recover from mistakes, and enjoy the journey without being consumed by the outcome. It’s time to build your mindset muscle and start showing up like a true peak performer. Let’s dive in.
In this week's Paper Napkin Wisdom Weekly:
- Paper Napkin Wisdom Preview
- Bring Your Best: Leaders Need to Show Up for the Big Games
- Self-Talk Drives Success
- Week in Review
- What's on Your Dashboard?
Paper Napkin Wisdom Podcast Preview
This is the only place where we give you a sneak peek into what's coming up on Paper Napkin Wisdom. Remember to share this with anyone who needs to hear these messages.
Episode 216: Max Zaharenkov, a dynamic entrepreneur and digital powerhouse with an audience of over 3.9 million followers on Instagram. Max has built an impressive reputation by transforming bold ideas into thriving ventures. Max dives into his journey, sharing insights on resilience, leadership, and what it takes to build a digital empire.
Episode 217: Robin Phillips, the inspiring founder of Child Care Aware® of Missouri. With a passion for empowering families and strengthening communities, Robin has been a driving force to create meaningful, systemic change. Robin shares her journey as a leader in advocacy and education, offering insights on resilience, innovation, and building a brighter future for children.
Episode 218: Eldon Sprickerhoff, founder and Chief Innovation Officer at eSentire, reveals how staying calm in a crisis not only protects your business but drives breakthrough innovation. Eldon shares powerful insights on resilience and leadership.
Epsiode 219: Michael Schoenberger, as an experienced executive, high-growth entrepreneur, and strategist, he shares the secrets to driving sustainable success by staying calm and intentional under pressure. Michael shares how great leadership can thrive even in chaos!
Epsiode 220: Andy Fine, a dynamic tech leader and strategic innovator and founder of Sartoro. Andy's proven track record of transforming big ideas into industry-leading solutions. From driving growth to fostering innovation, Andy’s insights will help you elevate your game.
Epsiode 221: Lolly Spindler, a marketing powerhouse and brand strategist who’s redefining content and community building in the digital world. With her expertise in driving engagement and amplifying brand presence, Lolly’s wisdom will inspire leaders to think bigger and act smarter.
Stay connected with Paper Napkin Wisdom on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify to be the first to hear these incredible episodes!
Bring Your Best: Leaders Need to Show Up for the Big Games
When you think of a championship athlete, an iconic performer, or a trailblazing artist, what do they all have in common? They don’t show up to the big game hoping to figure it out as they go—they come prepared. Leaders are no different. Whether you’re stepping into a boardroom, launching a product, or navigating a crisis, these moments are your “big games,” and how you prepare determines how you’ll perform.
But here’s the secret: just like athletes, your performance isn’t defined on game day—it’s built in the weeks, months, and years leading up to it. It’s in the fundamentals, and that’s what separates average leaders from those who lead with excellence.
Let’s dive into the key lessons leaders can learn from athletes, artists, and performers to bring their best when it matters most.
Practice in Private Before You Perform in Public
Big games aren’t the place to experiment. High performers don’t “wing it.” They’ve drilled the fundamentals privately so that when it’s time to go public, they can rely on muscle memory. As a leader, this means practicing key skills—presentations, difficult conversations, or decision-making—in safe environments before they’re under pressure.
“Scrimmage” your key plays. Run through scenarios with your team. Anticipate the challenges. Success isn’t about getting it perfect the first time—it’s about being prepared when the unexpected shows up.
Scrimmage Key Plays
Think of scrimmaging as a dress rehearsal. Athletes run through plays, try different approaches, and simulate game-like conditions. For leaders, this means practicing important meetings or negotiations with your team beforehand. Set up role-play scenarios or mock problem-solving sessions. If you’ve rehearsed how to pivot or adapt in scrimmage, you’ll be confident and agile when the stakes are real.
Fuel Your Body and Mind
Nutrition isn’t just for athletes—it’s fuel for leaders, too. What you eat affects your energy, focus, and clarity. You can’t show up for the big game running on fumes. Pay attention to how you’re fueling your body leading up to important events. Hydrate, eat balanced meals, and avoid that crash-and-burn sugar fix. The food you consume is fuel for performance.
The same goes for mental nutrition. What are you feeding your mind? Are you consuming content that inspires you and builds confidence, or are you stuck in a loop of negative self-talk? Be intentional about how you prepare mentally.
Rest: The Secret Weapon
It’s easy to think that grinding non-stop is the path to success, but athletes know better. Rest is a weapon. Sleep helps your body and mind recover and boosts performance. Leaders who sacrifice rest end up sacrificing sharpness and clarity when they need it most. Don’t make that mistake.
Treat It Like Any Other Day
The best athletes aren’t overwhelmed by the big stage because they’ve trained themselves to treat it like just another day. They follow their normal routines, stay consistent, and focus on execution—not the pressure. Leaders need to do the same. Stick to your rituals, routines, and systems to stay grounded. Don’t overthink the moment. Trust your preparation.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Moment
Leaders often miss this part. But remember—this is your chance to shine. You’ve worked for this moment, so enjoy it. High performers don’t just perform because they’re good at it—they perform because they love it. When you have fun and let go of the outcome, you’ll feel lighter, less stressed, and more creative.
Detach from the Outcome
You’ve heard it before: “Control what you can control.” The best athletes focus on their effort and execution, not the scoreboard. Leaders should adopt the same mindset. Don’t let the pressure of outcomes cloud your judgment. Instead, focus on making the best possible decisions in the moment and trust that the result will take care of itself.
Final Thought: Being your best for the big games doesn’t mean carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. It’s about putting in the work, showing up prepared, and trusting yourself. It’s about staying present, enjoying the process, and leading with intention. What’s one small thing you can do today to prepare for your next “big game”? Write it on a napkin and share it with the world using #PaperNapkinWisdom. You’ve got this.
The Secret Weapon of Peak Performers: How Self-Talk Drives Success
What’s the difference between a good leader and a great one? It’s not just skill or strategy—it’s mindset. And a huge part of that mindset comes down to one thing: how they talk to themselves.
Peak performers—whether athletes, business leaders, or artists—know that the most important conversations they have happen inside their own heads. The way they speak to themselves can make or break how they show up when the pressure is on. If you want to perform at your best, you’ve got to learn this art. Let’s break down the key moments where self-talk matters most and how to create your own playbook for success.
Pre-Game: Visioning and Positive Self-Talk
Success begins long before the big moment. The best performers visualize themselves succeeding before they even step onto the stage or into the boardroom. They don’t just see the outcome—they feel it.
In this phase, positive self-talk is about setting the tone:
- “I’m ready.”
- “I’ve put in the work, and I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.”
- “I belong here.”
Notice how this isn’t fluffy affirmation talk. It’s grounded in belief and preparation. When leaders envision success and pair it with strong, affirming words, they walk into the room with confidence.
When the Game Starts: Let Go and Stay Present
Once the action begins, the key to peak performance is to be fully present. You can’t control every outcome, but you can control your focus.
Here’s where the best performers excel: they let go of the outcome. They don’t obsess over winning or losing—they trust their preparation and focus on execution. Positive self-talk here sounds like:
- “I’m in this moment.”
- “One play at a time.”
- “I’m right where I need to be.”
Staying present prevents overthinking, which is often the downfall of many leaders under pressure.
Rapid Recovery: Learn, Don’t Linger
Mistakes are inevitable, but what separates top performers from the rest is their ability to bounce back—fast. They don’t dwell on mistakes because they understand they’re part of the process.
Coach K, the legendary Duke University basketball coach (Mike Krzyzewski), has a philosophy called “Next Play.” No matter what happens—good or bad—you move on to the next play. No rearview mirrors, no dragging mistakes into the next moment. “Next Play” means you acknowledge the error, learn from it, and immediately refocus.
Your internal dialogue in this phase should be:
- “That’s done. Next play.”
- “What did I learn? Great, now let’s move forward.”
- “Let’s get back to execution.”
Breath and Focus: The Reset Button
Breathing is a simple but powerful tool for resetting after mistakes or stress. When pressure spikes, peak performers use controlled breathing to calm their minds and reset their focus. Combine this with self-talk, and you have a rapid recovery system.
Try this:
- Take a deep breath in for 4 counts.
- Hold for 4 counts.
- Exhale for 4 counts.
While you breathe, say something simple to yourself, like:
- “Calm and steady.”
- “I’m back.”
- “One step at a time.”
This combination of breath and focus helps you reset faster than the rest, so mistakes don’t snowball into bigger issues.
The Peak Performer’s Self-Talk Playbook
Let’s put it all together with a real-world business playbook you can follow when heading into a big meeting or decision.
Play #1: Pre-Game Visualization (5 Minutes)
- Visioning: Sit quietly and picture yourself successfully navigating the meeting. Imagine key moments going well—smooth conversations, confident answers, and positive reactions.
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Self-Talk: Repeat phrases like:
- “I’m prepared.”
- “I’ve done this before.”
- “This is my moment.”
Play #2: In-Game Presence (During the Meeting)
- Focus on staying present. If your mind wanders to the outcome, gently pull it back.
-
Use self-talk to stay in the moment:
- “Let’s focus on this question.”
- “Stay engaged.”
- “One step at a time.”
Play #3: Rapid Recovery (After Setbacks)
- If something doesn’t go as planned, acknowledge it without emotion.
- Use Coach K’s “Next Play” philosophy: “Mistake? Okay. Next.”
- Learn from the moment but don’t carry it forward.
Play #4: Reset (If Pressure Spikes)
- Take 30 seconds to do the 4-4-4 breathing technique.
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While breathing, say something calming to yourself:
- “Relax.”
- “I’ve got this.”
- “Let’s go.”
Play #5: Post-Game Reflection (10 Minutes After the Event)
- Review what went well and where you can improve.
- End with positive reinforcement: “I showed up. I learned. I’m better because of it.”
Final Thought: Peak performance isn’t about perfection—it’s about how quickly you can reset, refocus, and move forward. Start by changing the way you talk to yourself, and watch how it changes the way you lead. What’s your favorite “play” from this playbook? Share it on a napkin and post it with #PaperNapkinWisdom! Let’s build momentum together.
Week in review
This week on the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast, we explored two transformative episodes that tackled impactful themes of leadership, resilience, and harnessing potential.
In Episode 214, Christopher Robbins, founder of Soul Degree, shares how adventure and nature can help leaders reconnect with their purpose and create deeper connections within themselves and their teams. Christopher discusses the transformative power of stepping outside daily routines and immersing oneself in intentional outdoor experiences to spark creativity, foster growth, and find clarity. Through his unique retreats, he guides entrepreneurs and executives in embracing discomfort, reflecting on their core values, and aligning their actions with their purpose. His wisdom serves as a reminder that leadership is not just about achieving results—it’s about finding meaning and inspiring those around you. Listen now on Apple.
In Episode 215, Lori Haller, an award-winning designer and creative strategist, reveals how thoughtful design can drive business success by blending creativity with strategy. Lori shares how great design goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about solving problems, enhancing communication, and creating meaningful customer experiences. Through her experience working with top brands, she highlights the importance of aligning design with business objectives and leveraging creativity to fuel growth and innovation. Her insights remind leaders that design is not just an art—it’s a powerful tool for driving engagement, connection, and results. Listen now on Apple.
Check them out here:
