The First to Fall

Survival profile

You know what to do and your body does not move. Under crisis your thinking halts, and the halt lasts not seconds but until the situation is over. The pressure crushes it. The hexagon above sits low across the board, with no axis left standing to prop up the others. Fortunately this is a game, and in reality this is the part that preparation can change. You have probably had similar moments in ordinary life: your name called suddenly with everyone turning to look, an unexpected phone call, and your head briefly going empty. Most people have that reaction; yours simply lasts a little longer. This is less a personality trait than a place where preparation can intervene. Rehearse the critical motions — an exit route, say — until your body knows them, and the body still moves in the moment thinking stops.

Strength and weakness

You do feel the danger coming. But when that feeling cannot become action, knowing never becomes readiness — it stays as fear. You have probably had your mind go blank when suddenly asked to present, then had the words come to you clearly once you were alone again.

Advice

• Memorize It in the Body — You cannot out-think freezing. Rehearse the critical motions — like your exit route — until the body knows them.
• Decide Only the First Move — A full plan will not surface under pressure. Fix just the first motion — 'three steps toward the door'.

Closing note

"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching." — Mahatma Gandhi