"High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation." (Charles F. Kettering)
Your expectations define your reality. What you expect is what you get. It's simple, powerful, and profound all at the same time. The question is, "Do you expect the best possible outcome for yourself and others?"
It's not fate or karma at work here. It is the basic fact that your attitude, disposition, and general outlook attract similar behaviors and reactions in those around you. Positive people are surrounded by positive influences; they have a support system of positive people who rally behind them when things don't go as planned. Negative people only receive more negativity and doubt when they are faced with adversity or challenge.
The expectations that you present to the world about yourself, and the people around you, will usually manifest. Just the way our exceptions of others influences how we deal with them, they also influence how other people respond to us.
If you've ever worked with a person who is primarily negative you will know what I'm talking about. A negative workplace is the least productive, least satisfying, and least motivating environment to be in. Negativity is like a black hole that even the brightest light can't escape from. Once you get caught up in negativity, it is almost impossible to break free. To avoid this trap you must develop positive expectations about yourself and others.
Aside from being positive, your expectations must meet two other criteria before they can help you become the person you want to be. They must be realistic and true to your self.
Unrealistic expectations are just as damaging as negative ones. When you never achieve success, you begin to doubt yourself, and all your positive energy is swiftly transformed to negativity. This brings you right back to where you don't want to be.
If your expectations are not true to the person you want to be, then you won't commit to making them a reality. All too often we try to live up to the expectations of others, such as a parent, a manager, a significant other, a teacher or another authority figure. Make sure your expectations are congruent with who you really are. That is the only way you will realize success and the only way your expectations will continue to remain positive.
- Commit yourself to setting positive and realistic expectations about all the things you truly want and deserve.
- Take the necessary steps to bring about the results you want
- Develop confidence and take responsibility for your own life
- Remind yourself constantly that you get what you expect. Create a powerful visual message as such, that you can refer to when you feel negativity creep in.
You will find both power and happiness when you begin to set your own standards and expectations based on what is true for you. You are what you believe, and you become what you expect. Expect the best, and only the best, from life, from others, and from yourself!
