Our family motto is “Keep expectations low.”
I know. I can already hear you. You’re a productivity coach, LeBrun. You tell people to dream big. You have a whole tagline about it. And your family motto sounds like something you’d find stitched on a throw pillow next to a picture of a very grumpy cat.
Fair point. But stick with me, because I genuinely believe this is one of the most useful mindset shifts I’ve ever stumbled into. And it doesn’t contradict the dream big philosophy at all. In fact, the two were made for each other.
Where “Keep Expectations Low” Actually Came From
The motto was born on family trips — the kind where you’re loading everyone into the car at 6 a.m. and heading somewhere like Disney for the day. We could have spent two weeks counting down, building it up, telling the kids this was going to be the greatest day of their young lives. Instead, we went in with essentially zero hype. We’re going. We’ll have fun. No big deal; we do fun things all the time, and Disney is just one of them.
And you know what happened? We had a great time. And when a favorite ride was down for maintenance, or the show we wanted to see was sold out, nobody had a meltdown. It was just… fine. Because the day was never riding on any single thing going perfectly.
That’s managing expectations in action. Not pessimism. Not giving up before you start. It’s protecting your peace from the things that are completely out of your control.
So Why Do I Also Tell People to Dream Big?
As a productivity coach, I have a different motto. Dream Big. Plan Smart. Live Fully.
Because dreaming big is about something entirely different.
The goal setting mindset I talk about with clients isn’t about guaranteeing a perfect outcome. It’s about refusing to let self-doubt make your vision smaller than it deserves to be. It’s about finding the courage to actually go for the thing — to put in the work, build the plan, and keep going even when it’s uncomfortable.
“Keep expectations low” is about the things you can’t control. Dreaming big is about the things you absolutely can. Those aren’t the same conversation.
The Saying That Brings It All Together
You’ve probably heard the saying that goes, “aim for the moon, and if you miss, at least you land among the stars.” To me, that has both of my mottos wrapped in one sentence.
Dream audaciously. Pursue the big goal with everything you’ve got. And then, whatever happens, be okay with where you land. That’s wholistic productivity’s version of managing expectations. Not lowering the goal but loosening your grip on the outcome.
Dreaming big will sometimes bring disappointment. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to con you. But there’s a real difference between the disappointment of a dream that didn’t fully arrive and the regret of a dream you never chased because you were too afraid to try. I’ll take the first one every time.
Both Ideas Have Their Place in Your Goal Setting Mindset
I think about it this way: dream big in the planning, keep expectations low in the execution. When you’re setting your goals, go for the moon. Don’t let fear negotiate your ambition down to something safer and smaller. Build the plan, chase the vision, do the work.
But when you’re living inside the process — when things are getting messy and unpredictable and not going quite the way you drew it up — that’s where “keep expectations low” steps in. It lets you stay in the game without being derailed every time life does what life does.
One mindset shift protects your joy. The other protects your potential. Together, they’re actually a pretty solid team.
If you want to talk about how to manage expectations while dreaming big, I offer a free 20-minute strategy call. I’d love to hear about your bid dreams and help you build a plan that won’t leave you disappointed.