08 February 2026
We have all heard someone say, “We rise to the occasion.”
What does that really mean?
I think it suggests that when the pressure is on, we suddenly find new skills because we are motivated.
That sounds nice.
But it is not true.
A better way to say it is this: “We rise to our level of skills.”
An example
Imagine this.
The lion tamer at the circus gets food poisoning.
We are chosen as the replacement.
This is our big moment.
We are motivated.
We are excited.
We will “rise to the occasion” and become… lion food.
With no skills and no experience, motivation alone does not help.
Another example
A new member of staff says, “I will not bother learning rapport or ice breaker skills. When I meet a prospect, I will just rise to the occasion
and think of something to say.”
That will not end well either.
Awkward silence.
Nervous talking.
Lost opportunity.
A business example
Someone says, “I will worry about handling objections later. When it happens, I will deal with it.”
But when the objection comes, they freeze.
Again, we do not rise to the occasion.
We rise to our level of skill.
The good news
Skills are not fixed.
We can raise our skill level every day of our careers.
One idea.
One phrase.
One question.
Learn something small each day and the pressure moments become easy.
Humour
I told my wife I wanted to be a comedian. She laughed. I suppose that’s a good start.
My friend said he didn’t understand cloning. I told him, “That makes two of us.”
I used to be indecisive… now I’m not so sure.
I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
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