As Expected
When low expectations are set, low expectations are met
No one I spoke with since the Continuing Resolutions had high hopes of a Federal budget being passed before the holiday break. Most of us figured that Congress would take any opportunity to take their eyes off the ball and jump on any distraction. A classic case of "bright, shiny objects" or denial.
So now Congress is going on break until after the new year and there are tons of open items that need to be resolved. When this happens in business it is called failure or default or irresponsibility. Yet we accept this annually from one-third of our branches of government. Repeatedly the Federal budget process lives down to its expectations.
Why do we care? Because there are decisions and planning that businesses can usually do with some degree of certainty around this time of year. What will be cut? Expanded? Delayed? Depending on which programs and offices your company works, this could be a direct impact on your revenue forecasts and list of targets.
"Congress be Congress" to appropriate an NFL player's infamous description of a specific team in Ohio....... But back to business.
I remember a client pulled me aside after a presentation because there was a typo in a footnote in an 80 page report. I was astonished and confused. Really? This is what you are bothered by? This guy could not even write a two sentence email without a typo. I was confused and asked why he accepted garbage from another contractor. I knew it was garbage because I was asked to fix their work and work with them to make them better. Then he told me that he expected much more from me. There were such low expectations of the other firm that garbage was meeting performance. There was excellence expected from me and that was the standard to which I was being held. Not fair, but complementary and quite a high hurdle. I embraced the challenge.
There are people who can dial it in a still be good. I can do this in certain tasks, but I find that I don't enjoy that. If I don't want to do something, I just don't until I am inspired. I am responsible, but I work to my strengths. When I focus and commit to being great, magic happens. The best of me comes through. Its a powerful realization that I have it in me to be great. Confidence? Ego? Maybe, but it is the self-assurance that allows me to dig deep and look to be better. I don't want to be mediocre. I made that decision long ago. Its part of the inner strength that projects from me, especially when high performance is needed. So now, I actively choose to be excellent. Can you say the same?
If excellence resonates with you, schedule a complementary call with me at https://calendly.com/libby-coaching. Lets find your superpower and develop that inner strength!