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You Get What You Expect
People adjust their behavior based on the way they see the world. Here are 11 ways that you get what you expect:
If you believe today’s going to be awesome, you’re going to be happier and more productive than if you fear problems lurking around every corner.
If you believe people are trustworthy, you’re going to manage relationships differently than if you think everyone’s out to get you.
If you believe you can overcome any challenge, you’re going to view obstacles differently than if you feel you’re doomed from the start.
If you believe you’re going to be successful, you’re going to view your prospects differently than if you think, “People like me never stand a chance.”
If you believe relationships should be win-win, you’re going to build partnerships differently than if you think everyone’s out to get the upper hand.
If you believe good people finish first, you’re going to behave differently than if you think you have to be ruthless to win.
If you believe feedback is critical to personal growth, you’re going to receive it differently than if you think feedback means you did something wrong.
If you believe every successful person encounters failure, you’re going to view mistakes differently than if you think failing makes you a failure.
If you believe hard work pays off, you’re going to view tough days differently than if you believe your company’s trying to take advantage of you.
If you believe people generally try their best, you’re going to manage people differently than if you think people are generally lazy.
If you believe life has its ups and downs, you’re going to view bad days differently than if you think you’re the only one with problems.
When you believe that something’s possible and you set your sights firmly on the prize, you’ve taken the first big step in making it a reality. When every part of you believes that the outcome will be positive, something magical happens. You get what you expect.
This poster was excerpted from Soul Food: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Frank Sonnenberg.
What Are Your Expectations?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
How Do You See the World Around You?
The Power of a Positive Attitude
Do You Have a Victim Mentality?
Mindfulness: 13 Ways to Obtain a Positive Mindset
Are You Sabotaging Your Success?
Is Your Glass Half-Full Or Half Empty?
3 Smart Ways to Gain Confidence in Yourself
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Wonderful post, Frank! I agree completely!
I recently found a good quote ascribed to Benjamin Franklin that says “without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning” .
The wisdom you share in this post help inspire growth!
Have a great week ahead!
Camilla
Thanks Camilla. I’m glad you like it 🙂
The truth is, when people expect a particular outcome, they look for evidence to support their view. This can have a powerful effect on behavior and ultimately, on results.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Your title is misleading. There is a HUGE difference between believing and expecting,and you seem to not know it. Expectation is what gives birth to a lot of unhappiness. “They should have..”, “this should have happened”. It is actually pretty crazy how people who “help” other people keep getting out this sort of articles.
Hi Lili
Mental attitude has a significant impact on your happiness and success.
People adjust their behavior based on the way they see the world. For example, expectations are well recognized in medicine, where doctors have known the power of the placebo effect for a long time.
According to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, “Your mind can be a powerful healing tool when given the chance. The idea that your brain can convince your body a fake treatment is the real thing — the so-called placebo effect — and thus stimulate healing has been around for millennia. Now science has found that under the right circumstances, a placebo can be just as effective as traditional treatments.”
When people expect a particular outcome, they look for evidence to support their view. This can have a positive or negative effect on behavior and ultimately, on results. Give that some thought next time you think, “I’m doomed from the start” or “People like me don’t stand a chance.” The fact is, “I can’t” and “I won’t” trigger the same results.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank