The Mindset Shift That Helped Me Lead Through High-Stress Moments
(Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025)
A young entrepreneur recently asked me a question I get more often than you’d think:
“How do you stay focused—especially when the pressure’s on and the deadline is looming?”
He was in the thick of a tough project.
Doubt was creeping in.
Distractions were piling up.
He needed a way to block out the noise and get back to work.
My Advice Was Simple (But Not Easy)
You put your head down.
You do the work.
You get to the goal line.
That’s it. That’s the playbook.
But I also shared something with him I haven’t told many people before.
For years, whenever I was staring down something difficult—a launch, a pitch, a quarter that had to go right—I’d start my day the same way.
5:00 a.m.
One song.
On repeat.
🎵 “Get Behind the Mule” by John Hammond.
It’s a raw, relentless Mississippi blues song that tells you exactly what you need to hear when the excuses start creeping in.
“You gotta get behind the mule in the morning and plow.”
Every verse is a reminder of life’s challenges.
Every chorus is a command:
Show up. Push forward. Keep going.
Why Rhythm Beats Routine
Productivity hacks are everywhere.
Time-blocking. Pomodoro. Focus apps. Digital detoxes.
But here’s what most of those don’t address:
How you feel when things get hard.
Because sometimes the hardest part of focus isn’t a lack of time.
It’s the weight of pressure, fear, and uncertainty that clouds your mind.
That’s why rituals matter more than hacks.
And for me, that song—gritty, steady, familiar—wasn’t just music.
It was a trigger. A mindset shift. A reset button.
It reminded me of who I was and how I handle hard things:
By getting behind the mule. And plowing.
What’s Your Anchor?
Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or just trying to get through a rough week—find your rhythm.
- Maybe it’s a song.
- Maybe it’s a quote taped to your desk.
- Maybe it’s lacing up your shoes and taking a walk before the sun comes up.
But whatever it is, let it remind you that you’ve done hard things before—and you’ll do them again.
Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for motivation.
Just get behind the mule.
And plow.
What’s your version of that song—the one thing that grounds you when the pressure hits?
Drop it in the comments or send me a note. I’d love to hear it.