SETTING EXPECTATIONS

One of the key components to living an effective life is setting expectations. You have heard it before; people tend to rise to the occasion when a challenge or assignment is placed before them. What expectation are you setting for yourself?

Let’s consider a few things:
Who are you right now? How does this compare to who you desire to be? What can you do about it?

Most people are comfortable with simply going along with the flow of things in their life, but get upset when they see the organized and discipline succeed. I have learned that talking about what you want out of life is not going to get you there. I make it a practice now to limit the discussion and increase the actions to achieve the goals. Being passive is not a characteristic of the successful. Setting expectations will help you to prepare for the challenges of life.

Question: What are you doing to be successful? Have you prepared by setting goals?

Take a look at some of the great athletes in sport today like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, and Michael Phelps. Tiger Woods has 12 majors and 56 victories since 2000. Kobe Bryant is said to be considered as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Usain Bolt is the unquestioned king of the 100-meter sprint, and is also currently its world record holder. He ran the 100-meter in 9.69 seconds at the 2008 Olympics. Rafael Nadal won three Grand Slam events, 25 matches in a row on clay and hadn't dropped a set in the French Open in over two years. Michael Phelps rode a four-year individual winning streak, including his eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics. All of these athletes have one thing in common they set goals/expectations and follow through.

Setting expectations cause you to change and shift your thinking, behavior, and ultimately your performance. It is imperative that you start off by mapping out a vision which is what you see for your life futuristically speaking. Create a vision and expectations worksheet that you can have with you at all times! All of your expectations should be parallel to this vision. Make sure that you are reviewing your vision and expectation on a regulatory basis. Rehearse it over and over again until it becomes second nature to you.

Hold yourself accountable to what you have placed in your V&E worksheet. Tell a friend or two about it so they can follow up with you and help keep you on track if you happen to go astray. If you want to be successful and you haven’t been then the first thing you must do is change your current habits and practices.

1. Challenge yourself to be different (Breaking out of the norm)
2. Write out your findings (Vision & Expectations worksheet)
3. Conduct frequent self assessments (Accountability)
4. Challenge yourself to stay the course (Sticking with it)

Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…