Many times we expect something to happen and it doesn't. Stress and anxiety tend to get in the way to try to fulfill those expectations. You may have other people who expect you to do something. It could be winning at a sporting event. You may have told how great you are and that you're going to win. The pressure of those expectations can mount and may even lead to a downfall.

When feeling the pressure of an expectation, you may have thoughts running through your mind that may say, "What would happen if I lost?" You may even think, "Would others still care about me if I lost?" or "Do they only care about me if I win?" Feeling intense pressure like those thoughts happens on a regular basis to anyone in any field. If you are competing against another person for a job position and have high expectations in getting it, the stress and anxiety will be the same as an athlete competing to win a sporting event.

You have to learn to set your own expectations for your own purpose. When I say set your own expectations, it more about the process of doing something, not the expected result. When you focus on doing something in the moment, that's when things tend to flow and the results will happen based on that. You'll also be much happier.

Only when you have completed doing the task is when you should look at the results. Results should only serve as a guide on improvement. W. Edwards Deming was a big proponent on continuous improvement as one his 14 Principles, you should do the same. When you understand the process of constant improvement, then expectation should not be stressful.

Yet, if you continue to do the same thing and expect different results - then that's irrational thinking. Different results will only come when a different or improved process is used. Put your emotions in the moment and not the results. Thinking rationally about something will aid you to eventually get the results you want. It may take a little time, so just trust that it will.

We all know the story of Thomas Edison and his work on the incandescence light bulb. He didn't focus on the result, but on the process of getting to the result. It took him approximately 10,000 steps to get there. Real results happen because of a real process to get there, not a lottery mindset. Expecting something to happen because you believe it will, won't make it happen. Following a systematic approach to getting something you want, will eventually get you there.

Just because I put up a website and put a few products in it doesn't mean I'm going to make a lot of money. It will take some work through planning and action on a good marketing plan. Testing of each part of the marketing will help to get the expectations I set out for my business.

Go ahead and set expectations for whatever you want. Just do it the right way without the emotional aspect of the expectation. Your emotions should be placed on the purpose of your expectation, not the expectation itself. Have a plan for your expectation, take action on it, and make improvements to it.