--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we aim high, pressure and stress…" description: "\"“When we aim high, pressure and stress obligingly come along for the ride. Stuff is going to happen that catches us off guard, threatens or scares us. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/ryan-holiday-514_aim-high_when-we-aim-high-pressure-and-stress-obl_2907856.jpg" --- # When we aim high, pressure and stress obligingly come… ![“When we aim high, pressure and stress obligingly come along for the ride. Stuff is going to happen that catches us off guard, threatens or scares us. Surprises (unpleasant ones, mostly) are almost guaranteed. The risk of being overwhelmed is always there. In these situations, talent is not the…” quote by Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/ryan-holiday-514_aim-high_when-we-aim-high-pressure-and-stress-obl_2907856.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/ryan-holiday-514_aim-high_when-we-aim-high-pressure-and-stress-obl_2907856.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/ryan-holiday-514_aim-high_when-we-aim-high-pressure-and-stress-obl_2907856.jpg) > ““When we aim high, pressure and stress obligingly come along for the ride. Stuff is going to happen that catches us off guard, threatens or scares us. Surprises (unpleasant ones, mostly) are almost guaranteed. The risk of being overwhelmed is always there. In these situations, talent is not the most sought-after characteristic. Grace and poise are, because these two attributes precede the opportunity to deploy any other skill. We must possess, as Voltaire once explained about the secret to the great military success of the first Duke of Marlborough, that "tranquil courage in the midst of tumult and serenity of soul in danger, which the English call a cool head.”” [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. High expectations bring stress and unexpected challenges; calm composure matters more than raw talent in crises. **In simple terms:** Stress follows ambition; calmness is key. Key Takeaway Cultivate calm under pressure. Themes stress unexpected challenges calmness leadership Mood determined focused calm Type advice philosophical motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - emergency response - tight deadlines - conflict resolution Key Concepts Stoicism emotional regulation resilience Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain composure when surprised? - What practices build a “cool head”? A Different Perspective Calmness alone may not solve technical problems; skill still matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim high](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim-high/) [Along for the ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/along-for-the-ride/) [Characteristic Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characteristic-grace-4171160/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Overwhelmed Situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed-situations-4171162/) [Pressure And Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure-and-stress/) [Pressure Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure-stress-1176414/) [Serenity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serenity/) [Situations Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situations-talent-4171161/) ## Related quotes > [Pressure and stress is the common cold of the psyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-denton/pressure-and-stress-is-the-common-cold-of-the-psyche/) [Andrew Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-denton/) > [“K.R. understands the distinction between pressure and stress. He cites the famous image of William Tell shooting an apple off his son's head: "In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-weiseman/k-r-understands-the-distinction-between-pressure-and-stress-he-cites/) [Liz Weiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-weiseman/) > [Being a comedian, you're under pressure. You have to deal with stress and pressure to perform - to deal with pressure without stress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/being-a-comedian-you-re-under-pressure-you-have-to-deal-with-stress/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [My flexibility is probably my No. 1 asset. Obviously we need to have a strong shoulder, strong scapula, strong lats, and a durable elbow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-arrieta/my-flexibility-is-probably-my-no-1-asset-obviously-we-need-to-have-a/) [Jake Arrieta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-arrieta/) > [Before you deal with anyone deal with yourself. Before you understand anyone understand yourself. 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If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-garrett/faithfully-speaks-to-me-it-s-about-a-guy-who-s-busy-with-his-work/) [Myles Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-garrett/) > [“It's never fifty-fifty in a marriage. Someone falls in love first. Someone puts someone else up on a pedestal. Someone works hard to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-s-never-fifty-fifty-in-a-marriage-someone-falls-in-love-first/) [jodi picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## More by Ryan Holiday > [“If we can focus on making clear what parts of our day are within our control and what parts are not, we will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/if-we-can-focus-on-making-clear-what-parts-of-our-day-are-within-our/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“The areas of great interest to the Stoics all make an appearance here: virtue, mortality, emotions, self-awareness, fortitude, right action, problem solving, acceptance, mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-areas-of-great-interest-to-the-stoics-all-make-an-appearance-here/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“With a business, we take most failures less personally and understand they’re part of the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/with-a-business-we-take-most-failures-less-personally-and-understand/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Many creatives want to be just the creator, or only “the idea guy.” They like that because it’s sexy and because that’s what comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/many-creatives-want-to-be-just-the-creator-or-only-the-idea-guy-they/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Pretty much everyone's career starts the same way: with grunt work. 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We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-world-is-ruled-by-external/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“From Rusticus … I learned to read carefully and not be satisfied with a rough understanding of the whole, and not to agree too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/from-rusticus-i-learned-to-read-carefully-and-not-be-satisfied-with-a/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [I wholeheartedly agree that many media 'standards' can feel disingenuous or, in fact, be a cover for less-than-honest behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/i-wholeheartedly-agree-that-many-media-standards-can-feel/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Remember: even what we get for free has a cost, if only in what we pay to store it—in our garages and in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/remember-even-what-we-get-for-free-has-a-cost-if-only-in-what-we-pay/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [It's your job to find a release and an outlet for the stress and the feelings. Never forget: the crazy stays at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/it-s-your-job-to-find-a-release-and-an-outlet-for-the-stress-and-the/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Where the head goes, the body follows. Perception precedes action. Right action follows the right perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/where-the-head-goes-the-body-follows-perception-precedes-action-right/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [The risks of speaking extemporaneously are apparent the first time you wing it and promptly put your foot in your mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-risks-of-speaking-extemporaneously-are-apparent-the-first-time/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“The tools of the Internet and social media have made it possible to track, test, iterate, and improve marketing to the point where these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-tools-of-the-internet-and-social-media-have-made-it-possible-to/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) [Explore all 504 Ryan Holiday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## More Aim high quotes > [Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/change-your-attitude-and-gain-some-altitude-believe-me-you-ll-love-it/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [You might as well aim high. Why shoot yourself in the foot when you can shoot yourself in the head?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shatner/you-might-as-well-aim-high-why-shoot-yourself-in-the-foot-when-you/) [William Shatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shatner/) > [One of the most powerful forces in the world is the will of men and women who believe in themselves, who dare to hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-devos/one-of-the-most-powerful-forces-in-the-world-is-the-will-of-men-and/) [Richard DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-devos/) > [Aim high. Inspire others to come with you. Equip them. Be ready for challenges. Stay your course!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/aim-high-inspire-others-to-come-with-you-equip-them-be-ready-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“For most of us the problem isn’t that we aim too high and fail - it’s just the opposite - we aim too low…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/for-most-of-us-the-problem-isn-t-that-we-aim-too-high-and-fail-it-s/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [“God created each of us with different traits and characteristics, but regardless of what they may be, know that He made you perfect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/god-created-each-of-us-with-different-traits-and-characteristics-but/) [Augusta DeJuan Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/) > [“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greater-danger-for-most-of-us-is-not-that-our-aim-is-too-high-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The sky is the limit... for some people aim higher nothing is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/the-sky-is-the-limit-for-some-people-aim-higher-nothing-is-impossible/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [“Some start in life without any leading objective at all; some with a low one; and some aim high—and just in proportion to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-alcott/some-start-in-life-without-any-leading-objective-at-all-some-with-a/) [William A. Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-alcott/) > [Whatever vocation you decide on, track down the best people in the world at doing it and surround yourself with them. Aim high and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-weiss/whatever-vocation-you-decide-on-track-down-the-best-people-in-the/) [Scott Weiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-weiss/) > [In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, they had better aim at something high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-the-long-run-men-hit-only-what-they-aim-at-therefore-they-had/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When I Woke up this morning. I ask myself 'What are some of secrets of success in life' I found the answer right there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yass/when-i-woke-up-this-morning-i-ask-myself-what-are-some-of-secrets-of/) [YASS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yass/) > [Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die, but long after we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-burnham/make-big-plans-aim-high-in-hope-and-work-remembering-that-a-noble/) [Daniel Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-burnham/) > [“When the actions becomes frequent than the words, success becomes heavier than the dreams. Do more, say less.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/when-the-actions-becomes-frequent-than-the-words-success-becomes/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [If you wanna fLy lyK An EAGLE, dnt wasTE your Tym swimming wid DUCKS AIM\_HIGH ACT\_HIGHER REACH\_HIGHEST](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swapnil/if-you-wanna-fly-lyk-an-eagle-dnt-waste-your-tym-swimming-wid-ducks/) [Swapnil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swapnil/) [Browse all 196 Aim high quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim-high/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When we aim high, pressure and stress obligingly come along for the ride. Stuff is going to happen that catches us off guard, threatens or scares us. Surprises (unpleasant ones, mostly) are almost guaranteed. The risk of being overwhelmed is always there. In these situations, talent is not the most sought-after characteristic. 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