under pressure we do not rise to the level of our expectations, we sink the level of our training.

“under pressure we do not rise to the level of our expectations, we sink the level of our training. (Archilochus), (navy seals)  

• what does this mean for us humans? what is our level of training if we have never specifically trained yet alone even considered how we would react when we are subject to a stressful event….? most likely we would fall to the level of our most basic ancient /primitive instincts. 
• What kind of behaviour will this insight?- 
• behaviour that will most likely be initiated by these baseline reactions could be driven from our most basic instinct- to survive? Fight, Flight, freeze. 
• Most people are lucky enough that most stressful encounters today are not a threat to our survival but as an “un-trained” human we meet these with the same intensity of reaction that we would if we are facing a sabre-toothed tiger. 
• how can this negatively impact on our daily life?

• this then when repeated in numerous circumstances throughout our life (maybe even several times a day) becomes our habitual way of being. 

How Can OT Help??

• increasing self awareness. 
• OT Can set goals within this area by first identifying with you what kind of reactions, responses, interactions you would like to achieve under pressure. making it fit with the over all kind of person that you would like to be. 
• OT would explore what previous mechanisms you have used while reacting to stressful events through activity/action analysis and through exploring your own personal narratives. Often, if you are aware of it, you can change it. 
• OT would then establish doorway drills, utilise doing being becoming and self evaluation, self documentation of stressful events. 
• OT would work on enabling the client to take a more cognitive approach as opposed to a reactive approach to these stressful events.