If you ever need to meet with your boss for performance reviews, present at meetings, get your point across in a negotiation, make a sales pitch, or interview with headhunters or potential new employers, you're going to need a "power pack" -- a simple, effective strategy that will prepare you for these high-risk situations.

Here's how to fill yours. Just before you're about to enter any of these high-test challenges, try these five easy steps:

1. Find a place to close your eyes. Make a space for you to sift back through your memories (anything from age three to yesterday).

2. Imagine a time when you did a fantastic job at something (anything!). It can range from a Little League no-hitter to your last fantastic business presentation.

3. Remember everything you can about how you felt. When did it happen? Who said what to you? What about this victory felt the most special?

4. Remember one more time how much you felt like a winner. Enjoy those warm sensations all over again, and vow to take them with you.

5. Go to it! Now your brain is programmed, just like an Olympic performer, for you to meet that challenge with "winning" rather than "worried" messages choreographing your performance! You know what psychologists have to say here: "What you expect is what you get."

So take the challenge -- and good luck!