We all know how hard it is to perform when we are under pressure.

 

Bottom line; expectations make things more difficult.  If we have no expectations we are always satisfied with the results.  Even bad results far exceed zero expectations.

 

I vividly remember Mike Tyson’s terror as a boxer on his way to becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of the world.  He was simply unbeatable!  Most of his opponents lost before they even stepped into the ring.

 

What I can’t remember is the name of the opponent (let’s just call him number 18) who, before the fight, said in an interview that his expectations were; “Survival..”   The announcer asked; “You mean to survive all ten rounds?” Number eighteen said, “No.  To survive; as in NOT die!” 

 

Now this fighter found a success in his first round defeat to Mike Tyson.

 

In my live speaking I ask people to envision the Fiji Islands… with the beautiful, crystal clear water, white sands and blue skies.  I ask them to fantasize about their dream vacation AND THEN to visualize terrible weather, a historic tropical storm hitting in the middle of their vacation.  Their expectations set them up for disappointment.

 

Next I offer a spelling lesson.  In my world the “Fiji Islands” are spelled FEGE Islands… Fewer Expectations – Greater Enjoyment, and when on the Islands, enjoy whatever you get amid the tranquility of temporarily escaping day-to-day expectations and responsibilities.

 

If our daily expectations are simple survival; we can learn to accept and enjoy our everyday successes and focus less on our failures or missed expectations.

 

The following are taken from the “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!” philosophy:

 

GOOBERSism #5:  “Thou shalt be INSPIRED by what you are TRYING to do!”

GOOBERSism #6:  “Thou shalt be in AWE of what you ACTUALLY do!

 

Fewer Expectations = Greater Enjoyment!

 

Let’s not confuse this with a lack of goals; Goals are specific, objective, quantifiable (and hopefully achievable) milestones.  Expectations are in the realm of emotion, usually broad, general and subjective…. And frequently, impossible to achieve!

 

Have Goals, not Expectations and you can begin to thrive rather than just survive!

 

 

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Lon Kieffer, author of “Get Out of Bed and Go to Work!”, Speaker, Consultant, Expert on Workplace Culture Change and Generational Conflicts, gives seminars, keynote and plenary addresses, runs annual sales meetings, and provides Common Sense Consulting at:  www.LonKieffer.com. He can be reached at:  (302) 462-6748 or via email at:  Lon@LonKieffer.com