Expectations and Words
How They Shape Our Reality
Successful people across different fields—from business and sports to personal development—have long emphasized the power of expectations and words in achieving their goals. Visionaries like Steve Jobs, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Napoleon Hill, Rhonda Byrne, Muhammad Ali, Tony Robbins, and Elon Musk all support the idea that success starts with an unwavering belief in the outcome and the language used to reinforce it. They didn’t allow doubt to creep into their minds; instead, they set high expectations, spoke their goals into existence, and shaped their reality through persistence and conviction.
I’ve come to realize something powerful: many people around me limit their potential without even realizing it. They expect failure—or at least, difficulties—and they vocalize it. They say things like “If it doesn’t work, we’ll try something else” or “Let’s see what happens, but I doubt it’ll be easy.”
Recently, after months of effort on a new project, one of my team members casually said, “If it doesn’t work for these customers, we can just pivot to another segment.” Hearing this aggravated me. Not because pivoting is inherently wrong, but because of what it represented: an expectation of failure right before we were about to launch. Instead of pushing forward with confidence and perseverance, this statement planted a seed of doubt at a critical moment—the last mile, where resistance is inevitable and resilience is key.
Failure Is Not an Option: The Principle of Extreme Ownership
As soon as you set a negative outcome as a possibility, you've already found a reason to fail. You've given yourself an escape route instead of focusing on making success the only option. This aligns with the principle of Extreme Ownership, a concept I’ve discussed in one of my other articles. Extreme Ownership means taking full responsibility for outcomes—no excuses, no blaming circumstances. If something doesn't work, it's not a failure; it's a challenge to overcome, a problem to solve, a lesson to learn. We don't fail—we adjust, we adapt, and we push through.
The mindset should always be: “We will succeed.” Not if—but when. This unwavering commitment to success is what separates the top performers from those who fall short. The moment doubt enters the equation, it weakens commitment, decreases effort, and opens the door to mediocrity.
Lessons from the Greats: How This Mindset Shaped My Entrepreneurial Journey
It is with this mindset—learned from successful people I’ve spoken with, worked with, or those I’ve observed and read about from a distance—that I have been able to achieve more throughout my entrepreneurial journey.
Applying this belief system allowed me to:
Close countless deals, even when the odds seemed against me.
Build revenue-generating companies from scratch by focusing on vision and execution.
Help others achieve the same, guiding them to eliminate doubt and focus on success-driven thinking.
One quote I love and have applied time and again is from Napoleon Hill, who famously said:
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
The power of vision is undeniable. Even Albert Einstein once remarked, “Your thoughts are already reality.” These words have been a guiding force for me, reminding me that success starts in the mind before it manifests in the physical world.
The Power of Expectations
Expectations are more than just thoughts; they are self-fulfilling prophecies. When we expect challenges and setbacks, we unknowingly create space for them. When we expect success—truly believe in it—we align our energy, focus, and actions toward making it happen.
The people who achieve extraordinary things don’t hope things will work out; they expect them to. They hold a vision so strong that failure is not even part of their vocabulary. Success demands an unwavering belief in the outcome. Not blind optimism, but a deep-rooted conviction that what you are building will work—because you will make it work. This mindset doesn’t mean ignoring obstacles; it means confronting them with determination, not with a pre-planned escape route.
Words Shape Beliefs and Actions
Words are even more powerful than we often realize. When we say, “If this doesn't work, we’ll try something else,” we are subtly telling ourselves—and everyone around us—that failure is an acceptable option. Instead of committing to overcome hurdles, we're already halfway out the door.
Those who shape the future use language that reinforces their vision. They say:
“This will work, and we'll figure it out.”
“We’re committed to making it successful.”
“We’ll overcome challenges as they come.”
These words don’t just sound confident; they create an internal framework that drives action, focus, and grit. They eliminate excuses and fuel persistence.
The Mindset Shift: No Excuses, Just Execution
What separates high achievers from the rest is not just skill or luck—it’s their unwavering mindset. They:
Set Clear Expectations: They see success as inevitable, not optional.
Choose Words That Reinforce Success: They speak with conviction and avoid language that suggests doubt or hesitation.
Stay Committed to the Process: Even when resistance appears (and it always does), they push through rather than looking for alternatives.
Success requires a mindset where failure is simply not entertained. It’s about saying, “This is going to work, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.” It’s about turning resistance into fuel, not an excuse to pivot prematurely.
Final Thoughts
If you want to shape your future, start by shaping your expectations and your words. Stop giving yourself an easy way out. Speak in a way that aligns with the results you want, and watch how your mindset—and ultimately your outcomes—transform.
Ask yourself:
Are my expectations aligned with what I truly want?
Do my words reinforce my goals or undermine them?
Am I committed to success with no plan B?
Because in the end, we don’t just hope for the future we want—we create it with our beliefs, our words, and our relentless actions.
Failure is not an option. Success is the only way forward.
