“You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”
~Michael Jordan

Expectations are such a double-edged sword.

In some ways high expectations can work against us – causing ourselves to doubt ourselves (or others) or to fail to live up to our expectations, and then to feel like a failure.

And yet, they’re also necessary. And motivating. Because as Michael Jordan shares, we need to think that highly of ourselves, or at least of what we can achieve, if we’re actually going to achieve great things. We need to believe in ourselves and our abilities, or at least our ability to figure things out even if we don’t know how to do something yet. Or what to do yet. We need to be able to see ourselves succeeding in the presentation, finishing the marathon, making a difference in our community, bringing the work project (or new product) to fruition. Or sinking the basketball.

I’ve come to know that we are all capable of great things. And that often, the only thing that really stands in our way is ourselves. How much we doubt ourselves. Or discredit ourselves. Or fail to see our greatness and what we have to offer.

I’ve come to know that we all have much to offer. We look at others and marvel at how amazing they are, and question our contribution. Funny thing is, they’re often looking at us and thinking much of the same things.

It’s time for us all to be aware of how far we’ve come and how much we do. And to expect more and more and more of ourselves.

To expect great things.

What are your expectations of yourself?
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If you want to learn to effectively expect great things of yourself, contact Robyn at rmcleod@chatsworthconsulting.com.

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