"Not good enough."
The fear of failure is toxic.
The more we contemplate it, the more it paralyzes us.
Perseverating prevents us from setting high expectations for ourselves.
Enter the slacker mindset of low or no expectations.
This self-doubt, the "not good enough" mindset, is a common hurdle on the path to personal and professional growth.
But here's the thing: everyone, even the most successful individuals, has faced failure.
Every single successful person has also faced doubt.
The willingness to endure those failure moments, to learn from them, is what sets the winners apart.
Have the fortitude to move doubt aside with a steady hand.
Clearing it from your "vision of the future" is what will set you on the road to success.
Make the vision for yourself clear.
Small Wins
Overcoming anxiety about setting expectations can be challenging, but it's the key to unlocking your potential.
To shift from fear to confidence, start by setting small, achievable goals.
Do you want the attention of 1,000 followers?
Start with focusing on delivering value to your next 10.
Do you have a creative project that is massive in scope?
Do not focus on the end product just yet, instead focus diligently on the first set of sketches.
These "small wins" create a sense of accomplishment and build your self-assurance.
The "small wins" step should not be skipped.
The depth of knowledge, experience, and confidence is built by achieving milestones.
As you achieve these milestones, you'll also realize that your potential is far greater than you initially thought.
Instead of pausing at new challenges, you will develop the habit of quickly taking the first few steps.
Communication and Critiques
Receiving praise and criticism can be intimidating, especially when you're striving to meet expectations.
However, effective communication is vital for personal growth.
When praised, accept it graciously, and use it as motivation to continue pushing your limits.
Dig into praise to acquire usable feedback.
By asking a few questions you can turn "Good Job!", into "You delivered a product that was functional on the first pass. you blew us away with creativity and you did it so quickly. The whole process blew us away!"
By questioning praise you can uncover what the expectations are, and what others find valuable.
When faced with critiques, remember that constructive feedback is an opportunity to improve.
Listen to concerns with a sharp ear to understand what expectations are being cast on you.
Effective listening techniques are super helpful in these moments.
Repeat back criticism verbatim and ask for clarification when needed.
Communication is an important stepping stone to reaching higher standards and achieving trust when you succeed and when you fail.
Trusted Confidant
In a digital world where relationships are often built on trust, gaining the confidence of others is paramount.
Though not directly, this is why building an audience is held as so important.
Evidence of your success, no matter how small, is the currency of trust.
This is how you grow social value.
When you consistently meet or exceed expectations, you establish yourself as reliable and dependable.
In an environment where face-to-face interactions are limited, your track record and the way you communicate play an even more significant role in building trust.
Embrace Expectations for Growth
In the end, embracing expectations is the cornerstone of personal and professional growth.
It's about believing in your potential, taking calculated risks, and learning from every experience.
The slacker mindset, rooted in the fear of failure, can be banished with determination, small wins, effective communication, and trustworthiness.
By transforming your approach to expectations, you pave the way for continual self-improvement, building lasting connections, and achieving your aspirations.
Warmdown
How can you integrate the concept of "small wins" into your content creation process, ensuring each piece contributes to your overall growth as a writer, blogger, or content creator?
How will you showcase your successes, no matter how modest, through your content? What type of articles, videos, or other content can you produce to build trust with your audience?
Think about the expectations you've been hesitant to set for your content. Can you create a "first step" program for yourself to embrace these expectations and chase your goals?