Paul Sullivan writes the Wealth Matters column for The New York Times.

Paul wrote Clutch!:Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Other Don’t for two reasons. First, Paul watched otherwise bright people crumble during the 2007-2009 financial meltdown. He wondered why.

Second, he is a golfer and he has a history of clutching during tournaments, despite being a good golfer.

People who succeed under pressure are grinders, just grinders at a high level. They don’t think about the outcome, they think process.

Clutch is the ability to do what you under normal circumstances under pressure.

There are five characteristics of a “clutch” performance. They are: a. Focus b. Discipline c. Adaptability d. Being truly present and e. Having the fear and desire to win.

Paul draws a key differentiation between focus and concentration. You have to hear this.

Listen to the entire interview below: