Hopefully, you’ve had some time to consider yesterday’s questions about the differential that sometime develops between the plans we make and the actual results that we achieve.  Picking up from where we left off yesterday… In her work, would it be better for my wife to lower her expectations to ensure she meets her objectives, or continue to set expectations that are high, with the knowledge that she may fall short?  Under which set of circumstances would she be farther ahead in the end?

Dave Mashburn and I spent some time on a plane yesterday traveling to the midwest for business meetings and had some time to discuss the topic.  Fortunately, there is quite a bit of research on the topic of expectations, so there are some principles that can be applied to this question.

Mikaly Csikszentmihaly, the researcher who discovered and writes extensively on the topic of psychological flow, has documented that humans experience a higher sense of engagement in their work when they push themselves to reach goals that are not easily attained.  Putting together a plan that can be quickly accomplished with 100% certainty will only produce boredom—psychological flow is not achieved in this state.

On the other hand, setting objectives that are so far above a person’s ability to achieve them, creates a sense of anxiety and despair.  We’ve all been put into “no-win” situations that quickly frustrate our sense of well-being and ability to achieve.  Without a way to work ourselves out of a situation, the only choice is to give up and succumb to “failure.”
 
There is a balance that must be attained between these two options in order for my wife to consistently experience psychological flow in her work.  The best position for optimal accomplishment is right at the edge of anxiety.  Crossing over this mark by setting goals that are unattainable, would put her in a constant state of anxiety.  (As if having six kids around the house wasn’t enough to do this!)  Consistently operating below the edge of anxiety would trap her in a state of boredom or complacency.  In addition to accomplishing much less, this level of effort will not lead to a sense of fulfillment.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to take up home schooling to apply these principles to your life!  In your work, attempt to set goals that force you to operate at the edge of anxiety.  These goals will stretch your abilities and cause you to make the greatest contribution possible.