Pressure ...

Pressure is...

Standing over a 12-foot birdie putt on "18" at Augusta National tied for the lead against Tiger,

Returning serve in fifth set tie-breaker at the US Open against Federer,

Taking the mound in the bottom of the ninth of a 2-2 tied world series game at Fenway with the bases loaded, two outs and a 3-balls, no strikes count,

Heading to the line for two shots, down 71-70 at the NCAA Final Four, no time remains on the clock.

Standing at center ice, women's Olympic ice skating finals, you have a lock on the silver, but the gold is within reach... the music is about to begin and you need to skate the performance of your life,

Final turn at Daytona 500, and Jeff Gordon has just bumped your rear fender but you're still in the lead, heading about 210 mph towards the held checkered flag,

Your the goal-keeper, score is tied in the Stanley Cup Finals and you're facing a penalty shot with :03 left in the game.

You are 8 years old and you're about to take the stage at the Met for Cavalleria Rusticana and you are dressed in a long holy communion gown with a burning candle in your hand.  You stare out at the capacity audience for the first time and you have to walk up the steps of the church, an extraordinary set built to scale.  Your stage Mom leads you to the first step and you begin your walk.

You have no money and you need to feed your family, pay the rent or the mortgage.

Pressure.