Admit it: you watched more of the Olympics than you had planned, and you actually got into it. Okay, maybe I’m projecting. The truth is that I watched quite a bit, and in spite of the excesses of NBC’s coverage (described by The New York Times as “up close and way too personal,”) I found much of what I watched to be compelling.

Once you get past the commercialism and the hype, what’s left are great athletes performing under intense pressure. More often than not, the performances are at the highest level. And inevitably, a handful of moments are truly inspiring.

It’s thrilling to watch individuals rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. And it’s worth remembering how they do it: through a combination of talent, coaching, practice, practice and practice. The next time you’re preparing for a high stakes event, consider following that formula to maximize your chances for success.