Why I'm creating 100 videos in 30 days (and what this teaches us about performing under pressure)
I’ve set myself a goal that makes me feel slightly sick: create 100 videos for my business in the next 30 days. In setting these ambitious goals, pressure reveals how we really perform.
The experiment
These videos will include content for my website, social media posts, explainer videos for clients, and videos for speaking proposals. One hundred videos. Thirty days. That is the goal.
I’ve been procrastinating on recording videos for months. The task felt overwhelming, and I struggled to know where to start. So I decided to set an ambitious goal and see how far it pushes me forward.
The discomfort is real. Recording videos feels like a big task. I worry about whether the content is good enough, not to mention the time it takes to prepare and record each video. That discomfort mirrors what leaders face every day in high-pressure environments: the need to perform when the stakes feel high with uncertain outcomes.
What this reveals about performing under pressure
This experiment reminded me of something I share with leaders: the way we set goals directly influences our performance, resilience and ability to handle pressure.
When the pressure increases, many leaders default to safe, achievable goals. They focus on what feels manageable. However, setting a 10x goal rather than a 2x goal often moves you further forward, even if you do not hit the full target (Sullivan & Hardy, 2023). Ambitious goals change how we think and act. They force us to question our assumptions, try new approaches, and let go of perfectionism.
For leaders, this principle applies directly to performance under pressure. When you set a goal that feels challenging, you activate your problem-solving skills, build your resilience, and develop new capabilities. The process of working towards an ambitious goal builds confidence and competence, even if the final outcome falls short of the original target.
Catch, Contain, Convert: three lessons for leading under pressure
The way I am approaching this goal reflects the same framework I share with leaders in my keynote: catch, contain, convert. These three steps help you notice pressure, manage it, and use it productively.
Catch: anticipate obstacles before they derail your performance
In my case, I need to catch obstacles before they derail me.
One obstacle is invisibility, because I know that making things visible is how I get things done. Visible is my word for 2026. It applies to how visible I am professionally and also to how I organise my work. If a task is not written on a planner, list, or calendar, it will not get done. I need to make this goal visible every single day.
Another obstacle is knowing what to do, especially for the first step. I need clarity on what the topic is, where the video will be used, and the video content. Without that clarity, I will waste time deciding what to record instead of actually recording.
For leaders, this process of anticipating obstacles is critical. High performers do not wait for problems to arise. They predict challenges, plan for them, and put systems in place to mitigate them. This proactive approach reduces stress and keeps momentum steady.
Contain: create systems that prevent pressure from spreading
One of the biggest risks with a goal like this is letting completed work pile up without taking the next step. I know that once I record a video, I need to immediately send it to its destination. If it is going on social media, I upload it or schedule it straight away. If it needs editing, I send it to the video editor immediately. I’m not going to wait until everything is done.
This principle of immediate action prevents bottlenecks and keeps progress moving. In leadership, the same rule applies. When you complete a task, take the next step immediately. Do not let decisions, emails, or follow-ups sit in a queue. Continuous action builds momentum.
I am also limiting myself to five takes per video, and I will choose the best version from those five. Done is better than perfect. This mindset shift is essential for high performance. Perfectionism slows progress, increases stress, and often leads to burnout. Leaders who prioritise progress over perfection build more momentum, learn faster, and achieve more over time.
Convert: use pressure to build competence and confidence
I know that creating videos will feel clunky and slow at first. I also know that I will get better with time. Repetition builds both competence and confidence. The more videos I create, the easier it will become. Starting is the hardest part. Once I build momentum, the process will feel more natural.
For leaders, this principle applies to any new skill or challenge. Whether you are learning to give feedback or lead difficult conversations, the first few attempts will feel clunky and require a lot of conscious thought. Growth happens through repetition and practice, not through waiting until you feel ready.
I am also strategically using the pressure of making myself accountable by sharing this goal publicly. By posting this blog, I am taking ownership of this commitment. Accountability strengthens follow-through. When we make our goals visible to others, we increase the likelihood of achieving them. For leaders, accountability works in the same way. When you share your goals with your team, your peers, or your manager, you create external motivation and support.
Pressure does not disappear at the top
Pressure does not disappear at the top of organisations. It travels through leaders and into teams. The way leaders respond to pressure influences how their teams perform, how they communicate, and how they handle setbacks.
Learning to catch, contain, and convert pressure is what allows leaders to sustain high performance. It builds resilience, strengthens effective decision-making, and creates environments where people can do their best work.
If you are leading in a high-pressure environment, consider where you might be playing it safe with your goals. What would change if you set a 10x goal instead of a 2x goal? What obstacles can you anticipate and address now? What systems can you put in place to build and maintain your momentum?
Ambitious goals build our resilience, confidence, and overall performance. They teach us to focus on what we can control, release what holds us back, and take ownership of our progress.
That is the Conscious Leadership Advantage in action.
Leadership under pressure is not about eliminating stress.
Instead, leadership under pressure is about learning how to catch it, contain it, and convert it into performance.
Dr Sarah Whyte is a keynote speaker and facilitator who works with leaders in high-stakes industries to replace reactive behaviour with intentional leadership under pressure, helping organisations improve retention, engagement, and performance.
