| In school we learn a variety of math formulas. | | | | expectations begin to create an excitement which |
| We learn how to convert temperatures from | | | | leads me to start running. Even when I realize |
| Fahrenheit to Celsius; we learn how to calculate | | | | how out of shape I am, my expectation and |
| the area of a triangle and much more. The | | | | belief pushes me to run a little more every |
| beauty of these formulas is the certainty they | | | | day.Along with my running, I do some other |
| provide. We know that if we know the formula | | | | things - I ask other runners about their |
| and have the correct inputs, we can compute the | | | | preparation plans. I pick up a book at the store or |
| correct answer. Presumably, as adults we are | | | | library to learn more about running technique. I |
| using these formulas to solve a problem and | | | | ask the knowledgeable sales person in the store |
| move us towards something we desire.People ask | | | | about the proper shoes to buy.Expectations and |
| me about unleashing their potential - how to do it, | | | | belief fueled action, and now the action is |
| what steps to take and more. Because of this | | | | reinforcing the belief as well. My running |
| recurring and important question I have worked | | | | expectation has snowballed! I build a plan to |
| to distill part of the answer into a formula. This | | | | compete in a specific 10K race and then complete |
| formula will help us because if we can identify the | | | | it.At the start of this process, when I put this |
| inputs and use the formula correctly, we can | | | | expectation into my mind, my body wasn't |
| improve our performance, and provide greater | | | | capable of making the 10K - maybe it wasn't |
| service to others, as we reach towards our | | | | capable of making it to the mailbox! But the |
| potential.The InputsThe inputs to this formula | | | | potential was there latent waiting to be unleashed. |
| are:Expectations - Those things we expect of | | | | I unleashed the potential by having positive |
| ourselves.Beliefs - What we believe to be true | | | | expectations which created belief which fueled |
| about ourselves, our skills, abilities and potential; | | | | action which led to me crossing the finish line of |
| and our world.Actions - the behaviors we exhibit | | | | the 10K race. EBA=R.Be Aware ...It is important to |
| and the things we do.Reality - the results or | | | | note that this formula works for any expectation |
| endpoint of the efforts.The FormulaThe formula | | | | - positive and uplifting, or negative and cynical, so |
| goes like this: Expectations create beliefs. Beliefs | | | | be careful what you expect!It is equally important |
| create actions. Actions create realities.Perhaps you | | | | to recognize that you can use the formula to help |
| will want to remember this formula as: EBA=RAs | | | | others unleash their potential as well. Your positive |
| written, it looks like it is a formula that uses | | | | expectations and encouragement of them will help |
| multiplication. In a way it does - if you have a | | | | generate their own expectations, which allow the |
| zero in any of the first three inputs, there will be | | | | formula to work.In ClosingIf we fervently expect |
| no change to your reality (or results). However as | | | | something will happen, then we develop a belief, a |
| we all learned in math class, in multiplication you | | | | true expectancy about that event or |
| can complete the formula by multiplying the | | | | circumstance. When we believe, we will take |
| factors in any order. In our formula it all starts | | | | action on those beliefs. And the right action, as |
| with expectations, in other words, the | | | | we all know is required to create new results. |
| multiplication must be done in order to make | | | | EBA=R.Use this formula for yourself. Set your |
| sense.Anything Else?Before I go any further, let | | | | expectations higher! Reinforce those expectations |
| me say that this formula assumes a desire to | | | | by thinking about them regularly. If you couple |
| reach for new results - without desire to tap into | | | | that with true belief, you are on your way.Why |
| or discover our potential the formula doesn't even | | | | not start today?Kevin is Chief Potential Officer of |
| apply.But I know, because you are reading this | | | | The Kevin Eikenberry Group ( a learning consulting |
| article, you have that desire, so we can move | | | | company that helps Clients reach their potential |
| onward ...An ExampleLet's say that I see a friend | | | | through a variety of training, consulting and |
| and they tell me they just ran a 10K race. I tell | | | | speaking services. Kevin publishes Unleash Your |
| myself, I could do that - I expect that I am | | | | Potential, a free weekly ezine designed to provide |
| capable of running a 10K race. The more I think | | | | ideas, tools, techniques and inspiration to enhance |
| about this race, telling myself that I could do that, | | | | your professional skills. Go to to read the current |
| the more I believe my assertions. My belief and | | | | issue and subscribe. |