On: An Average Guy Who Spent 6,000 Hours Trying to Be ...

[pja]

That helps with the external distractions, but it doesn't help with the pressure you put on yourself - the internal mental pressure.

There's a reason everyone recommends "The Inner Game of Tennis" in this context.

[notahacker → pja]

Also, depending on how you handle pressure, a period of absolute silence when people concentrate on seeing whether you fail or not can be a lot more nerve-wracking than a colourful crowd of people relentlessly booing your team.