I often hear the above phrase used in the context of leadership. But that is not what this short snippet is about. I want you to understand how important it is to manage your own expectations.

In 1932 the psychologist, Frederick Bartlett made the point that the ordinary mind only perceives what is expects to perceive. On the basis that our actions or reactions flow from our perception, this seriously constrains our ability to do what needs to be done to get what we want to get from life.

1932 is a long time ago and much has since been confirmed in terms of how our expectations filter our experience of life and what we get out of it to the extent that psychology is now quite clear in stating that we only get what we expect. As a result of our conditioning, we tend to live down to our expectations - our self-limiting beliefs and our need to conform see to that.

If follows, however, that if we expect different, we will perceive different, behave differently and achieve different results. That is why we need to manage our own expectations.

PEN AND PAPER EXERCISE

Grab a pen and a sheet of paper. Write down the five most important things to you in life - doesn't matter what order they're in . You might say that that's a big ask - but it's actually a very basic question.

Next, beside each of your five items, write down how much time, in an average week, you devote to each item.

On the back of the same sheet of paper, write a list of the things that you spend time on that, not only have nothing to do with your five items, but that you should not be doing at all, at all!

Refer to your instructions for living regularly.

I read that CERN is moving ever closer to definitive scientific confirmation of the existence of the Higgs Field - or Higgs boson - what is sometimes referred to as the God Particle or the left-over signature from the so-called Big Bang. It will be another step on science's inexorable march towards explaining, well, everything!

Some of my clients are greatly absorbed by the manner in which quantum physics explains - in factual terms - how we are all connected, how energy has a direct and measurable impact on other energy, how the world really works. In anecdotal terms, we all know that we are energetic beings and that others' energy can effect us for better of for worse - from the person who bores you to death, to someone who uplifts you. We all know that unquantifiable feelings, such as sentiment and confidence, effect our economic lives and finances. And we're all too well aware of the effects of mass hysteria - from Hitler's Germany, to North Korea, to fundamentalism.

At the end of the day, however, and whilst all this stuff is intriguing, what should most intrigue you or I is that we have the power to control our own minds, direct our own energy and live our own lives in a manner that is both of benefit to you or I and, just as importantly, all those around us. The rest is 'nice to know' - that's all.

The key thing, then, is to ensure that your mind is kept clean - preferably, swept clean every morning - and that your energy is poured into the things you should be doing to achieve what is best for you and those around you. If you achieve that, you will have achieved success and happiness - something that is achievable in our own small lives on a daily basis. The universe - regardless of the existence of the HIggs boson - will be a better place for it.

And, finally... just to add a little spice to the Higgs boson findings, I see that Prof. Higgs and the other half a dozen physicists that have been involved in the ongoing work, are fighting over the fact that what's being searched for is called after Prof. Higgs!! One of the other scientists is quoted as saying that Higgs is being treated as a "rock star whilst the rest of us are being ignored". Does someone need a hug?