Are you lowering your expectations to meet your performance?
To me there two answers to this question, based on my own life and experiences, and I´m going to share them with you here below, but first;
I love all kinds of quotes and condensed messages. I also like to read all kinds of books and researches. But sometimes I find short messages that tell me more than many books, and are easier to remember.
Here is one of those messages that I´m very fond of:
“Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations.
Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.”
~ Ralph Marston
Over the years I have often doubted everything I do, my skills, abilities, competences and so on. I have feared I would not succeed. “Who do you think you are?” is a question I have often asked myself when working on growing in my challenges. Thinking it was just easier to keep doing what I was doing – so I just lowered my expectations again.
Then there have been times, when I have not been doubting myself. Maybe times when I have lacked focus and not doing as well as I knew I could. Then I have sadly lowered my expectations to meet my performance.
I don´t know which is worse, sad to say.
Do you relate to this?
Do you sometimes (or often) lower your expectations to meet your performance?
Now please join me in stopping this altogether. Please stop lowering your expectations.
It is so much more fun and rewarding to raise your level of performance, to meet your expectations. Having raised my own level of performance, amazing opportunities have come to me. Whether they just came out of the blue or I created them, doesn´t really matter, as long as I grab them. No matter how great your performance already is, think about if there is any room for improvement.
This applies to your performance in all aspects of your life. This applies to how you are leading yourself and how you are leading others. Especially if your career includes management responsibilities.
The Expectancy Theory – and your performance
There are research based evidence that back the expectancy theory.
That theory suggests that your perceived view of an outcome will determine your level of motivation.
Since the outcome is a result of your behavioral choice, it explains why you choose one behavioral option over others. This theory does not explain what motivates you, but rather how you make decisions to achieve the end you want or value.
Or in other words, if you multiply together
- How strongly you believe your effort will lead to great performance
- How strongly you believe your performance will lead to a desired outcome or reward
- How strongly you want this desired outcome or reward
– you will find out your level of motivation.
So if you lack motivation to raise your level of performance, to meet your expectations, you need to work on one or more of these issues.
I´m pretty sure that you are that kind of person that welcomes a healthy and friendly provocation.
Therefore I dare you to have high expectancy of yourself and with that raise your level of performance.
Don´t settle for less than you are capable of, whether in your work or life.
Decide on your standards – in what league do you want to play?
Make sure to choose your daily habits and actions to raise your level of performance.
Please apply this to your career, community, environment, finances, health and relationships.
I can help you with raising your performance, in work and life, just click here for more tips, tools and my support.
Reading my book, called Rekindling your spark: Strategy for better Self-Leadership will inspire you and help you with finding out how to rekindle your spark.
It includes various tips, tools and exercises.
Please click here to get your copy.
