The biggest battle in our lives is the challenge to meet an expectation, either set by ourselves or others. It is ironic how the challenge that presents itself does not derive from our brains, rather from the people around us who we subconsciously think about when we attempt to complete a task. Without the challenge to exceed set expectations, there would be no determination within us. Some believe that our own inner determination pushes us, but where does that self-derived determination come from? What drives our subconscious to succeed?

Whether you are six years old and taking your first spelling test, or you are 18 years old and playing in a college sports competition, expectations drive your actions. No one was telling your six year old self that you had to excel on your spelling test. You did well because you knew that your parents expected you do excel in the task at hand. Without even realizing, your teachers, bosses, parents, friends, and coaches set expectations thus defining them as your biggest motivators.

Ironically, the greatest expectation to meet in life is the challenge of bounding back after failing to meet a particular goal that someone has set for us. In other words, our greatest expectation is that after one is failed to be reached. We are expected to put aside the negativity of failure and replace it with the strength and courage to take another shot at fulfilling the responsibility.

This is where many of us, including myself, often fall short.

Do we have the mental strength to put aside the negative energy after failure? Can we overcome a failed expectation and flood our brains with a positive mental attitude? That is up to us to decide in the moment.

Set your expectations high. Reach others' expectations that they set for you. Always bounce back.