Why is it that some people always seem to exceed expectations while others seem to forever fall short?
Let's investigate this some more. Can you think of someone who always exceeds your expectations? Can you see them in your mind's eye? Can you hear them? Can you feel the happiness you get every time they inspire you with kindness or great work? Now, what about the opposite: can you think of someone who consistently falls short of what you'd prefer? Can you see them right now asking for more time or giving you something that you really don't like? Can you feel the same sense of disappointment that you've felt time and time again with this same person?
Why does this happen? Why is it that the people you call friends and workmates treat you so differently when you treat them all so consistently?
The short answer: It's not them. It's you.
One of the most important questions a mentor once asked me when we were discussing this very topic was "Do you need to take a look in the mirror?" and the answer was a resounding "YES". Despite the fact that I think I am consistent in the way I communicate with everyone, everyday. I'm not.
Wayne Dyer described this phenomenon so succinctly in his maxim for life: "You get treated in life the way you teach people to treat you.” By only accepting inspiring work, honest communication and kindness we teach people to treat us that way. By accepting mediocrity, we become a magnet for mediocrity.
In my experience, Wayne Dyer's maxim is spot on. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the idea that "you get treated in life the way you teach people to treat you"?