As a fitness or wellbeing business owner, the start of a new year often feels like a blank slate, a chance to set new, ambitious goals/intentions. We begin with high expectations, this is going to be THE year afterall. The one where everything we desire will fall perfectly into place.
But what if this very approach sets us up for disappointment?
What if it sets us up for a fall?
What if it sets us up to fail?
Don’t get me wrong, expectation can be great and is valuable when it comes to setting standards and boundaries. However, when it comes to setting your goals/intentions for the year ahead, an expectation can be so rigid and so pressurised that you actually end up sabotaging your success.
Let me explain a little more:
- Expectations involve setting rigid, often specific goals with a set outcome that has to be achieved at all costs. While they give us direction, expectations can lead to disappointment if they’re too high or unrealistic. Success is only achieved if the exact expectation is met meaning we can often miss other success points along the way.
- Anticipation on the other hand, is about looking forward with an open mind. It allows for excitement without strict demands on the outcome. You still set the direction you are going in PLUS you are open to the possibility that you may need to adapt along the way. You celebrate the journey as well as the outcome.
One thing that also needs to be considered here is the knowledge that we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in a year and underestimate what we can achieve in five. This often leads to the setting of unrealistic goals that couldn’t possibly be achieved by one person in one year. I am not saying you don’t aim high. I am saying you need to check in with yourself, that you haven’t overestimated, and you won’t end up at the end of the year berating yourself for not reaching those lofty goals you set back in January.
Understanding this mindset, and the difference between expectation and anticipation, can significantly impact your long term success as we can “nip in the bud” some behaviour patterns that have kept you stuck.
The new year is a perfect time to set your goals/intentions and use the energy of anticipation to drive your business forward. Expectation can come into play too but I invite you to lead with the energy of anticipation and harness the positive parts of expectation so they are motivating you but not driving you into the ground. The trick is in balancing the two!
With expectation you become laser-focused on your desired outcome. For instance, you may set a target to attract 50 new clients in 12 months. This focus can drive productivity and determination, allowing you to focus in on strategies that work specifically toward this goal.
The less positive side of expectation is when our expectations are too rigid. When this happens we risk missing out on alternative paths to success; our laser focus becomes tunnel vision. Tunnel vision narrows our view, making us overlook opportunities that don’t fit within our original framework.
If a new service or collaboration opportunity arises that doesn’t align with your set expectation, you may dismiss it without considering its potential.
If you want 50 new clients but you get 49, with the energy of expectation in the lead you won’t celebrate, it won’t be good enough.
Anticipation keeps you motivated but flexible. When you anticipate growth, you don’t fixate on one single metric of success. Instead, you’re more attuned to noticing incremental progress, celebrating smaller wins, and remaining resilient when things don’t go as planned. For example, if client numbers don’t double right away, but engagement rates increase, you’ll view it as a positive step forward.
The less positive side of anticipation is that while it opens up possibilities, it can sometimes lead to a lack of focus. When you’re too open to various outcomes, it’s easy to get distracted. You might find yourself chasing new ideas, investing time in projects that aren’t aligned with your core business goals – shiny object syndrome can take hold.
So how can fitness and wellbeing business owners find a productive balance between anticipation and expectation?
- Start with a Vision, Not Just a Yearly Goal:
A five year vision is broader and allows for a more flexible approach, reducing the chances of feeling stuck in a tunnel of rigid expectations. Aim to understand the essence of what you want to achieve over a longer period and then break it down into realistic one year incremental goals.
- Set Milestones:
Define smaller, flexible milestones within that vision. By setting a quarterly or monthly focus, you’re breaking the journey down into achievable steps. These milestones are easier to accomplish and give you a reason to celebrate along the way.
- Embrace a Growth Mindset:
Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight. A growth mindset acknowledges that setbacks are learning experiences and that success is a journey. When you set expectations for growth without fixating on specifics, you’ll feel more motivated to keep going and definitely less stress and less likely to burnout.
I invite you to lead with the energy of anticipation with the back up of the drive and focus of expectation in the upcoming year. Here’s to your success!
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x