What do you expect out of life? Do you have high or low expectations? How about the people around you? What are their expectations? Do they encourage and pray for you or do they pull you down? You are thinking, ‘why the questions?’ Why ask about the people around me? I ask because they have a great deal of influence on your life; more than you know.
We like to live in our comfort zone. A place where we are safe and have things under control. But we don’t grow in our comfort zone. We are not stretched nor challenged. In fact, we go backwards without challenges. They make us think and make decisions. Challenges help us discover strengths and resources we did not think we had. Challenges help us separate true friends from fair-weather friends.
When you have high expectations for yourself you will use your time more wisely. You have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Time is too valuable to waste on the wrong things. Those who reach their goals in life have learned how to invest their time for the greatest return. Don’t let other people waste your time.
People who have high expectations in life have learned how to set both short term and long term goals. They have learned to set reachable goals. And, they have learned how to measure those goals. A goal is something that has a due date; a time to accomplish, not just to have a good idea. Goals help us stay on track and not waste time.
There is another thing about people who have high expectations. They do expect a lot but they give a lot too. They have learned to help others and receive help from others. And, make no mistake, they are givers more that takers. They have learned that to get what you want; you must help others get what they want. A good employee helps his company or boss become successful and then he is rewarded.
People with high expectations are self-driven, not selfish-driven. There is a big difference. They have learned to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to get there in a just and right manner. They are willing to be second or third best to get to where they want to be someday. They are willing to work long days and nights to achieve the goals. They are willing to put up with some things that they don’t like in order to get to what they do like. They are people with purpose and a dream.
Where does greatness come from? We are not born great. Where does success come from? We are not born successful. Greatness is developed and success is achieved. Greatness comes because someone with high expectations is not satisfied with just being good. They work harder and make it great. Success is not just achieving something easy but true success is overcoming the odds of failure.
One last thing. People of high expectations have a good self image. They believe in their ability and have learned to take advantage of opportunities whether big of small. They live by a good value system based on honesty and character. They have learned the good principles of the Bible and have applied them to their lives. Remember, life will only give you what you expect and earn. No free lunches.
See ya in church,
Bud