Expectations

I just coached myself in signing up for summer school, I have mapped out a curriculum, outlined personal standards of performance and laid some ground rules. In essence, I set expectations for another critical period of personal development.

I am encouraged or ‘in courage’ to begin a new semester.

What would it be like if you had the courage to never stop being schooled and considered the summer as a next “critical semester”?

You just might meet your potential.

Learning is a life long journey. Along the path, we find expectations are a responsibility we can’t shirk, a hope we can’t shatter, and opportunities that must be exercised. What do you expect in the next months? Can you clearly articulate your expectations?

Expectations are beliefs centered on the future. In your mind, you formulate an outcome before you even begin to move toward the goal. It may or may not seem realistic at first glance. But despite that fact, we must set expectations.

Let’s get started.

Just like the much anticipated or dreaded first day of school, you must approach today with courage. Courage is the manifestation of the life force of a person. In its purest form, courage summons an individual to stand up, step out and start over. “Courage,” said, Winston Churchill “is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” Without courage, there is no action, no life, and no fullness.

Life demands more than “knowing” what to do. You summon the will and energy to operate with integrity. Integrity is a dedication to being all you are intended to be despite your fears. Exercise integrity to your self and others in spite of the situation life has doled out today. Eleanor Roosevelt said; “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”

It takes courage to live life as given without complaint or criticism. It takes twice as much courage to decide to lead a life divided no more. To do what needs to be done. To defy doubt. All it takes to be the change we want to see is to ask the right question at the right time. Begin with this simple question.

To achieve my expectations for the next months what must I say ‘yes’ to?

Your life is begging for a yes. What might happen if you decided to live the lifestyle of yes? Yes to life. Yes to myself. Yes to my talents. Yes to my strengths. Yes to my family. Yes to my colleagues. Yes to the needs of the world.

It is easy to say no. To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. It is easy to say no, even if saying no means death. All you have to do is sit still and wait. Wait to go on living; wait to die. That’s the coward’s part. For every ‘no’ there is a yes. Make a choice that moves you forward.

Several years ago, my son decided to say yes to an expectation. His dear friend, CC sauntered into my living room looking over each nook and cranny of our home, paying close attention to detail. I could see flickers of curiosity dance across his face. Full of expectation, CC loved new territory. The energy emanating from CC was tangible. He couldn’t wait to get started. Although he had no idea what the day held, he had great expectations for this play date. My son bounded down the stairs to greet CC. He, too, was thrilled at the possibilities the day held. Eager to get started, my son proposed, “Wanna go outside and play?” With his signature ‘cool’ CC said, “Let’s check it out.” I gave both of them the standard “Mom” safety message. In a flash, they were gone.

What took place in the next hour, exemplifies the power of expectations. The boys were 6 years old. Even at this tender age, dreams are developed. In fact they are big, and bold. They played on the same basketball team, sat in the same classroom, and shared the same dream. They wanted to ‘be like Mike’, Superstar basketball player Michael Jordan. Becoming a superstar was simply a yes to practice, a yes to commitment, and a yes to the possibility. Clearly they expected greatness! Together they dreamed, conversed, and developed plans to transform themselves into a superstar. CC came into my son’s world full of expectations. He knew my son. He had experience with him. They had a history. CC observed his buddy was athletic, bold, and confident. He liked that. My son’s attributes resonated with CC.

As my son laced up his shoes on the stoop in the garage, he pointed to the basketball and said, “Ready?” With one bound, CC scooped up the ball but found his expectations shattered as he stared at the wheels of the bicycle right behind the ball. The bike was nice enough. It was silver, sleek, and sporty. But, CC couldn’t believe what he saw! “You still got training wheels on that thing?”

Taken completely off guard, my son stammered…. “Ahhh welllll… yes.”

Let me tell you about those training wheels… mmmm… drama. Lot’s of drama and energy had been spent on those training wheels. Put them on…take them off…I’m scared…put them on …no take them off…I’m ready to try. It was a vicious cycle. Neither one of us saw it coming but my son was about to be pried off dead center.

Without hesitation CC declared, “We can’t have that. You’ve got to learn to ride this thing without training wheels.” Then the questions commenced, “Where is a wrench? How long have you had these things on here? When’s the last time you tried to ride without them? Can your mom help us get these things off?” and then the big one… “Are you scared?”

I was preparing dinner, when the door flew open. With his hands on his shoulders and a grim look on his face my son stood before me with dogged determination. “Mom, take off the training wheels.”

‘Ahhhhggg’… I thought.

I started to object but he cut me off. “Really, Mom just come outside and take the training wheels off.” So, I did.

The second the wheels were off; CC grabbed the handlebars, jolted the kickstand into the upright position, and commanded control of the bike. Sitting on the curb looking on, I could see my son struggling. He was confronted with his fear. CC shouted riding instructions as he zoomed around the cul-de-sac. Finally, he stood up, stepped out into the cul-de-sac and started over. “Give me ‘my bike.” My son instructed CC with his signature boldness and courage. With a glimmer in his eye, CC abruptly skid the tires to a halt directly in front of him and said quietly, “Okay, man. Relax. Here you go. Have at it.”

It was at that very moment that my son said, “Yes”. Yes to bike riding. Yes to himself. And Yes to expectations 

Many people dream of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves first. Changing yourself takes courage. Set expectations for the next months. Challenge your fears with action. You’ll raise your self-esteem and expand your thinking. Vibrant people fill their lives with expectations.

I invite you to stand up, step out, and start over. 

I expect, a “Yes”.

 Original Source: https://thevibrantcoach.com/expectations/