Consistent with both Stoic Philosophy and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy it is recommended that you focus on what you can control. You can control your effort and your attitudes. You cannot control the outcome of things. When it comes to doing well in any particular test of performance strive to do well AND strive to feel concern NOT anxiety. Concern is the foundation of good performance while anxiety is likely to interfere with performing well. Here are two attitudes, one that leads to anxiety (which interferes with performance) and another attitude that leads to concern (which helps you perform well).Because a great deal is at stake I absolutely have to do well. If I do not do as well, as I must do, it is awful, terrible, the end of the world! I could not bear to do poorly. If I do not do well it proves I am inadequate as a person. (Anxiety producing philosophy)
Vs.
Because a great deal is at stake I VERY MUCH want to do well but do not absolutely have to do well. If I do not do well it will be very bad because I did not get what I WANT but it will not be awful, terrible and the end of the world. It will be VERY disappointing if I do not do well but I could bear this outcome. I could learn from the experience. If I hold the proper attitude towards not doing as well as I would like I could use the experience to help me in the future. Regardless as to what is at stake it is invalid to rate myself as a person if I do not do as well as I would like. I never have to DEVALUE myself as a person if my performance is not up to par. I will strive to do well but I can avoid demanding I do perfectly well. Demanding I do well will decrease the probability of doing well. Demanding I do well will make me anxious which will contribute to a poor performance. If I hold onto a strong preference to do well I will feel appropriately concerned and strive to do my best. I will be focused and be capable of thinking well if I remain in a concerned but not anxious emotional state. I will always remain a fallible human whether I do well or poorly. (Concern producing philosophy)