Although most of us will never compete in the Olympics, we certainly will have to deal with high levels of stress in our careers. Stress kills productivity, impacts decision-making abilities, and can even create negative health outcomes. However, by applying the stress-management skills of high-level athletes in our professional lives, one can better navigate the hectic world of modern business. First, it’s important to be prepared. By knowing what obstacles are out there and doing the right homework, stress can be significantly mitigated. Mindfulness is also critical in not letting stress and anxiety snowball out of control. For Clare Egan, a biathlete at this year’s Winter Games, mindfulness means blocking out everything around you and focusing on the moment. “I have this task I've done thousands of times,” she says. “I know that I'm going to have distractions.” It also helps to focus on the task at hand, not on what the potential results might be. The desire to “win” is not only unhelpful, but counterproductive. Focus instead on what tasks need to be performed and in what order to be successful. “If you can do that,” Egan says, “you’re going to have a performance you can be proud of, whether it’s giving a presentation at work or a piano recital or biathlon.”