One of the principles I emphasize with my leadership clients is that “we are at our best when we are feeling good.” It is when we are feeling good that we have access to the fullest extent of our talents. So what do we do when fear, pressure, anxiety, doubt, and other negative emotions (that don’t feel so good!) intrude upon our high-stakes moments? If, at moments we most need them, our best talents become stifled by our negative thoughts and feelings, what can we do to find our best selves?

In this video, I share with you a technique I first developed for my own benefit—to help me learn to find the best version of myself in the midst of anxiety-inducing experiences. I call this “What if / As if” because it has two steps: ASKING “What if . . .” followed by ACTING “As if,” allowing us to envision and enact another version of ourselves—one that can effectively and happily meet any challenge. By practicing the technique, we can expand our abilities to respond to the demands placed on us, allowing us to both empower ourselves and enjoy our experiences.