Pressure Will Break You—Peace Will Build You

Men are used to being under pressure. We are expected to be able to handle pressure. Strength was measure by how much pressure you can handle without completely breaking down.

In and of itself pressure is neither good or bad. Stress is neither good or bad, unless it is in a quantity that is unhealthy.

We found pressure useful to keep pushing, people say “I do my best work under pressure”. But here’s the thing—there’s no peace in pressure.

We need it to grow, to stretch, to live at our edge at times but not as a constant companion.

Let’s look at that statement “I work best under pressure”… what is really going on is that they are forced to trust themselves, they have no time to second guess things, they have no time to seek out a bunch of external information… they are forced to take action with little hesitation and maximum focus.

But we can also do that without the forced pressure on our back.

We can learn the freedom of trusting ourselves, letting go of doubt and taking action with focus.

The goal is not perfection it’s excellence.

You weren’t made to live in the pressure cooker—you were made to lead from peace and clarity.

When it comes down to it I was a perfectionist.

And that part of me still tries to rear its little head at times to put on the pressure.

Always feeling like I have to “get it right”, “figure it out”, “make it look good” but perfection 98% of the time is focused on other people.

Who did I need to impress, who did I need to prove I was good enough to be here?

When I start looking at things in a way of “I am doing it because I enjoy it, and I want to” knowing who I am and what I stand for I can work with excellence.

I can peacefully put my all into what I am doing fully aware it may not be perfect.

Even when it comes to this business it took me a long time not to try to “look the part” and just be me.

Whether content on social media, coaching 1:1, or giving a talk I have to trust who I am and what I am bringing to the table.

Some will vibe with me and some wont and that is alright.

I constantly remind myself who I am and return to the present—where peace and authenticity live.

That’s where I find power.

The more I’ve released the pressure to perform, the more powerful my presence has become—not just in how I lead, but in how I connect with other men.

Coaching was tough until I showed up to a few coaching conversations without trying to say all the “right” things. No pressure to impress. No need to sound like the expert. Just presence.

And what happened? The walls came down. The conversation got real. The masks dropped.

Men don’t need a perfect leader—they need a present one.

Someone who’s rooted. Grounded. Honest. That’s what gives permission for others to be real too.

I’m realizing that when I let go of the internal pressure, I make space for brotherhood to grow.

Not just accountability—but alignment.

Not just advice—but shared energy.

Not just talking about peace—but modeling what it feels like.

We don’t build trust by saying all the right things.

We build trust by being someone who lives in peace, even when life isn’t perfect.

That’s what Men of Alignment is about—and that’s the standard I keep coming back to.

Brother, where is pressure leading your life this week?

• Is it in how you show up at work?

• Is it how you speak to your kids?

• Is it how you measure your worth?

Here’s your charge:

This week, catch yourself in the moment you feel the pressure creeping in.

Pause…Take one deep breath.

Ask yourself this:

“What would peace choose in this moment?”

or...

“What would I be thinking and feeling if I completely trusted myself right now?”

Then do that.

This is how you train yourself to lead from clarity—not from chaos.

From presence—not from proving.

From trust—not tension.

You don’t have to earn your way into being enough.

You already are.

Now move from that truth—and let your presence speak louder than pressure ever could.