I think I’ve found the secret to happiness and it falls flat in the face of everything you’ve been taught.
I call it “Shoot for the Stars, Expect the Moon”
Translation?
Have big goals, big dreams, and big ideas … yet, maintain low expectations.
Yes, you’ve read the right. Low expectations.
You see, if your expectations are kept low, anything that happens will likely exceed your expectations and make you happy.
Don’t confuse this for “low standards” or “lower your standards” — the two are entirely different. I have high standards and big goals — but I maintain low expectations — and it always serves to shield me from the pain of disappointment.
Here are just two examples:
My book’s release date is Nov 9th and yet, I’ve already exceeded my sales expectations. Of course, this wasn’t too difficult because my expectations were set very low. And when expectations are exceeded, you’ll be happy and severed from disappointment. If I expected to sell 50,000 copies in the first week, I might end-up disappointed. Shoot for it? Sure. Expect it? No.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with SHOOTING for that goal but to expect it could be prelude to discouragement. When the expectations are low, everything thereafter will exceed expectations, and when you continually exceed expectations, you’ll most likely enjoy the ride, or in Fastlane terminology, the roadtrip.
Here is another example.
I’ve done a lot of online dating. Yup, you read that right. I actually enjoy it despite what others might classify as a long line of miserable failed dates/meetings. The reason is pretty simple … I keep low expectations. If I meet a stranger, my expectations are not “is this my soul mate?” or “is this the woman of my dreams?” — nope, are you kidding? That is a setup for massive disappointment.
My expectations are simple: To meet someone I never met before, to find out what makes them tick, to hear their dreams, and to share a drink with a total stranger. My expectations are low and the result is I am more likely to enjoy the experience — I accumulate interesting stories (and geez, they are interesting) to recite later in laughter, even though it might not yield the outcomes others demand.
So when you’re planning your Fastlane strategy — dream big, set high standards, and set big goals. But yet, set your expectations low because exceeding them will be easier, and will fuel your motivation to continue forward. Yes, if you want to make $100,000 every single month, you first got to learn how to earn $100 every month.
The Fastlane process is a journey and a roadtrip — if you don’t enjoy the ride, what’s the point? To enjoy the ride, shoot for the stars, but expect the moon.
What do you think?
And Stop The Prostitution of Monday Through Friday!
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