From Expectation to Exceptional Experience

Utilising Emotional Resilience in Business

If you were to create a movie that exudes the effectiveness you have achieved and the satisfaction you feel about your life in business to date, would the viewers be encountering a story more akin to gliding in a gondola or riding a roller coaster?

It matters little which one you prefer, but it does matter if you expect one and get the other!

A preferred experience is a classic story with expectations met, obstacles navigated and a satisfied happy ending.

If you are demanding the gondolier speed up and lose the other vessels in his wash, or complain the roller coaster is making you sick, then best you look at your expectations and how you are preparing yourself for the ride, especially if this happens over and over again!

Imagine if you could produce and direct your business life movie to be classic story variety as the rule rather than the exception? What would that do for you now in your current role? How would that make a difference to your future effectiveness and satisfaction as well as the fond memories you have of the finished movie?

A favourite movie is one that re-runs as a memory for a variety of occasions. Your movie memory can be a rich reminder in a time of reflection, an uplifting reward in times of trouble and a powerful sample of a tried and true account worthy of replicating for your next production.

To be a favourite it should be professionally produced and well-directed and not necessarily a high budget production. It just takes focus, awareness and flexibility; add commitment and you have a box-office hit!

Deciphering the plot of your best and worst experiences is a good way to start. By re-running each as a movie in your mind you will get the real experience of how your expectations were met, or not, complete with emotions good and bad!

If you are the adventurous type then you will enjoy the exhilaration, if you are a peace seeker then you will appreciate the solace. No matter the specific situation and resultant emotion it is whether you are feeling emotionally resilient throughout that tells the real story, the story that relates you being satisfied with the ending.

Being emotionally resilient is about feeling strength in your core, a strength that comes from a calm place deep within. Having this strength you are most likely to set realistic expectations and be least rattled when things go awry. You know that whatever the situation you have a calm resolve that keeps you clear, alert and flexible as you remain in control.

The movie of your worst experience shows you reacting to the pressures that arise as your not so best self, causing you to expand the risks and as a result, perhaps even multiply the negative consequences. This movie is gripping, the stuff terrifying action movies are made of! Fear and fright, much of which is caused by the experience not meeting expectations!

The best experience movie shows you at your best, able to be the one who is in control and helps to nullify the risks and lead yourself and others through to a satisfying conclusion. Perhaps the story may have dilemmas and dire circumstance, but you move through like a modern day hero or heroine.

It is useful to ask your self, what are the differing circumstances in the design of the two plots? In other words, what circumstances help you to be at your best, your most emotionally resilient self and what drives you off course?

To be a specialist in producing and directing your own classic movie focus on the following 3 elements:

First, have a clear outcome. If you are not clear what you want to achieve through your experience, and what is important to you, then you find it difficult to make decisions in the moment when your movie is being made.

Second, be aware of the environment that you are going into, the possible risks and how to ensure your planning and preparation averts these.

Third, be flexible when you are in the midst of your movie. I am sure you can appreciate that having the first two elements covered makes being flexible so much easier. You are well informed and emotionally prepared for any misadventure or indeed positive opportunity that may arise.

Things can and will go wrong, which gives the plot it's excitement and helps test your effectiveness. A key element is in managing your level of expectation! To be very dissatisfied you must first have a high level of unrealistic expectations.

When you are emotionally resilient you will handle the rigours of business life with ease. In addition to planning and forethought, do as much as you can to care for your brain and body through rest, nutrition, meditation, exercise or whatever helps you feel your best and live your best business life, moving your expectation to exceptional experience!