The Truth About Expectations, Goals, and Results: Why You’re Doing It All Wrong
Expectations, goals, and results are three concepts that are fundamental to succeed in any endeavor. These are often used interchangeably but have different meanings. Understanding the differences between these concepts will help you set more effective goals, make more informed decisions, and achieve better results.
Expectations
Expectations represent our belief that something will happen exactly as we predicted it. Usually, when an expectation fails, disappointment quickly arises since our expectations go hand-in-hand with our values and principles. For example, a wife may expect her husband to remember their 20th wedding anniversary and do something special, to realize her husband didn’t even remember the date. We tend to believe in things, behaviors, and events out of our control. Now what if we do something about it? Enter now intention-based goal setting.
One of the reasons for our goals to fail is the lack of intention we put into setting and executing them. Now, if we drive our goals with the same beliefs that support our expectations and add meaning to them, we create momentum to accomplish them. The intention will develop focus, and where focus goes, energy flows. We’re now in the driver's seat to do whatever’s necessary rather than just sitting in the passenger seat, hoping for the best.
Goals
Now that you understand the importance of intention, you must define your goals as SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Let’s take “building a house” as an example:
- Like a house needs a blueprint with concrete measurements, SMART goals must be Specific. This means you must define what you want to achieve and how you plan to get there. For example, if you build a house, you need to decide on the number of rooms, the style of the home, and the materials you will use.
- Just like a house needs a solid foundation, SMART goals must be Measurable. You must track your progress and know when you have achieved your goal. For example, if you want to build a house, you need to measure the amount of concrete required for the foundation, the square footage of the rooms, and the project's total cost.
- Just like a house needs to be realistic and feasible, SMART goals must be Achievable. When setting your goal, you must consider your skills, resources, and limitations. For example, if you want to build a house, you must have the necessary funds, skills, and time to complete the project.
- Just like a house needs to be built within a specific timeframe, SMART goals must be Time-bound. This means that you need to set a deadline for achieving your goal. For example, if you want to build a house, you must select a deadline for completing the project and moving in.
- Finally, just like a house must be designed to meet your specific needs and preferences, SMART goals must be Relevant to your life and priorities. This means you must set goals that align with your values, interests, and vision for the future. For example, if you want to build a house, you need to make sure that the design and style of the home match your preferences and lifestyle.
Results
Results are external events that can be influenced by factors outside our control, such as luck, timing, or other people’s decisions (even though you may have the best intention in the world…). However, it’s essential to understand that results are not synonymous with our identity or self-worth. Therefore, decoupling our identity from our results is crucial since I am what I am, not what my results show.
By decoupling our identity from our results, we can avoid tying our self-worth to external factors that may fluctuate or change. We can also shift our focus from the outcome to the process of achieving our goals, which can be more fulfilling and rewarding in the long run.
For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, the result would be the actual time and place you finish the race. However, focusing only on the result may make you feel disappointed or demotivated if you don’t meet your expected time or place. Instead, by focusing on the process of training, dieting, improving your technique, and enjoying the journey, you can derive a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction regardless of the result.
Another example is in the workplace. If your goal is to get a promotion, the result would be whether or not you get it. However, focusing solely on the result may discourage or frustrate you if you don’t get the promotion. Instead, you can derive satisfaction and growth regardless of the outcome by developing your skills, building relationships, and contributing to the company’s success.
In the end, Expectations, Goals, and Results are three concepts essential to any endeavor's success. With these principles in mind, you can achieve your desired outcomes and find your way to victory in all areas of your life.
Do you want to know how to re-frame your mindset and create a bulletproof Action Plan to accomplish your Goals? Give me a call.
About me
I’m Marcos Gonçalves, an Entrepreneur and Founder from Lisbon, Portugal, who had his fair share of international initiatives in the latest tech scene. Now, I use my expertise to help Founders and Executives reach the next growth level in startup and corporate ecosystems through my IGNIGHTS platform. Click here if I can help.
