If you’ve ever navigated a lengthy project – in business, school or at home – you likely recall key “make it or break it” phases in which pressure and the stakes were high. The halfway point, or as some call it, the “point of no return,” is typically a watershed. If you successfully move beyond the point of no return, the next goal becomes the finish line.

I’d like to meditate on the final stages before the finish line with you today. In my experience, the last 10% of any project is the time when the devil, who apparently hides amongst the details, tends to rear his ugly head. The pressure that waxes and wanes through any creative process, rises once again in this final and critical stage, highlighting any areas of impurity, uncertainty and disparity. The wise person remains calm, cool and collected as he moves swiftly to handle any deficiencies so that the foundation is not compromised.

The oscillation between high pressure and low pressure in a creative process is largely predictable. I’ve outlined two points in just about every process that tend to have higher pressure than normal and as they say, forewarned is forearmed. If you know that pressure is likely to increase in the coming days in a project you are involved in, you can and should prepare yourself! This is a good time to make good on former resolutions to be a better person. A victory under high pressure is worth three in low!

While pressure changes are generally predictable, there are times when an unexpected shift can take you off-guard, as the weather often does the weatherman. When the weather is different than forecast, do you beat yourself up, get upset with others or throw your hands up in despair? I hope not! Just as I hope you would not do so when a surprise comes your way in an unfolding project.

The home stretch is the best time to put on your “A” game. Being consistently successful in this often tricky phase requires a heightened alertness that sits upon a substructure of deep inner peace. Tension never helps in this phase, for there is already sufficient pressure in the mix. Neither does worry, panic or regret. At this point, you’re committed and staying the course – provided it is the right course – is primary.

I would venture to say that a large majority of failures occur at this late stage in the process. Just getting to the final 10% of any project can sometimes requires a minor miracle, yet those who do get this far often lose it just before the finish line. The failures stem from either external factors, such as insufficient preparation, or internal factors, such as bad habits of reaction to mounting pressure.

Do yourself and those who depend on you a favor. Think about where you are in the various processes you are either responsible for or engaged in under the leadership of others and get yourself ready in advance for the waves of pressure. Surf the wave, don’t let yourself be unnecessarily crushed by it!