It is estimated that there are more than one billion sharks in the ocean right now. Yet we humans are still drawn to the sea.

45% of new business will fail within the first five years of being open. Yet so many entrepreneurs still go all-in on their dreams for self-employment.

Something about the inherent risk of an undertaking implies a greater potential reward. And we are helpless to resist the pull.

The thing is, you don't see the sharks until you are in the water. And you can't fully grasp the difficulties of running a business until you are committed and you have employees depending on you. So when you come face-to-face with a tough decision (or a shark), you better know how to deal with it.

Step one is remaining calm. Stress is poisonous and kills our ability to make logical decisions or even think straight. If you don't believe that, go watch videos of Navy SEALs being asked simple math problems under conditions of extreme physical and mental stress. Solving 6 x 3 never seemed so difficult.

But if you can stay calm when stress bares its teeth, you have an advantage over everyone else. That ability to keep from panicking when you feel like you are in too deep is nothing short of a superpower.

To a shark, a frantic swimmer looks like an injured seal. Any erratic movement is an invitation to strike. To the competition, a panicked business owner looks weak and unstable. In both cases, they are an easy target.

Whatever is going on under the surface, you must give the appearance of calm seas. It will inspire strength in the team members you lead, it will broadcast your resilience to the competition, and it will drastically improve your ability to make rational decisions.

"Calm Under Pressure" original canvas wall artwork from IKONICK instills that composure in your mind, so when the sharks start circling you can remain collected. Take this message to heart during calm times so you won't just survive the pressure when it comes—you'll thrive in it.