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The point of performance (POP) is where victory and defeat, success or failure is decided. Some examples of very brief or ephemeral POPs:

• A 100 meters sprint in the Olympic lasts less than 10 seconds.
• A free throw in basketball has to be made within ten seconds.
• You get less than a minute to make a positive impression in your first meeting.
• The tone for a phone screen for a job is set in the first few minutes.

The preparation for those few moments is much, much longer than a few seconds or minutes. In the case of the Olympics it is every four years. You get a few seconds or minutes to execute on a few years of preparation. Those who argue with this reality stand no chance of success. Actually, those who argue will have no shot at even being able to participate/compete.

Prepare for the next meeting with your boss or your customer as if it is the 100 meters sprint in the Olympics. Meaning, prepare well, relax yourself before the event, be absolutely in the moment, and surrender yourself completely as you do your thing. Don’t let those vital seconds and minutes overwhelm you. There will be another race waiting, whether you win or lose this one.

Life in the workplace is a series of short sprints. Be sure to pace yourself like a marathon.