There are some authors that just resonate with you. One such author for me is Dan Miller. I have recently read some past blog entries of his and came across this one, Do you “expect” greatness?. I feel very connected to that quote as I am raising my children. We should always expect the best or more from our children and others. Often times, we fall short. How would the lives of others or your children be different if you not only expected greatness from them, but helped with their journey to greatness, while not judging.
Along those same lines is a concept from a book I recently read, The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander; Give everyone an “A”. The idea behind giving everyone an “A” is that you should treat everyone as if they are doing their best, all the time, and that they have already succeeded. You are not judging them. You “expect” greatness from them. It frees people from the pressures they may feel to make you happy and lets them be great in any way, not just how you think. If there is a problem, you don’t assume that person is the problem (remember, they are doing their best), rather there could be some issue beyond their control or even that you are causing.
Everyone deserves to have greatness expected of them, whether it is the server at your local restaurant, you significant other, angry customer, or anyone. Are you giving everyone an “A”? I challenge you, next time you are waiting for you food that is taking a little longer than you think it should or in a slow check-out line, to not be angry or upset in any way at the situation. You should “Give everyone an A” by expecting that they are doing the best they can and offering a kind word and a smile. Now that is “expecting” greatness from yourself.
What a great concept… I wish everyone would remember to “treat everyone as if they are doing their best, all the time”.