Olympian Expectations Escalate or Die

“There are five interlinked components of Olympian expectations: •  Expectations are set much higher than is normal. •  Thinking big – not concerned with details but with changing the big picture. •  Being unreasonably demanding of self and others – the standards had jolly well better be met, without exceptions or excuses. •  Progressive escalation of expectations over time – no resting on laurels; more like an ever-expanding sliver of razored ice1 in the soul demanding ever-greater success. •  The expectations are unique to the individual and can be succinctly expressed. For instance, Leonardo – ‘perfect paintings’; Churchill – ‘stop Hitler’; Thatcher – ‘reverse national decline’.”

“Therefore, set your expectations as high as you possibly can, consistent with believing they can be realised. If you want unreasonable success, you must have completely unreasonable expectations. The ceiling on your future is the most you can imagine and expect.”