The Gift of Anticipation

If there’s a season of anticipation, this is it.

Anticipation comes in a lot of flavors. Some of them feel amazing, some feel hard. But the stretch we’re in from here until the end of the year, includes some of the best anticipation there is. Right now is the season before the season. It’s the pre-game to the finish and celebration of everything we’ve been working toward in 2024. 

Anticipation is the exercise of looking forward

I’m on a flight home from Austin, TX and I’m thinking about the littles in our family and the hard goodbyes that were so much easier because we’d see them again in November. The tears stopped when they heard what they had to look forward to in 6 short weeks. 

Anticipation is a unique combo of foresight, control and creativity that can enhance both our personal and professional lives. It’s the planning, excitement and sometimes even healthy fear that preps us for what’s coming. Some might say anticipation is even better than the real thing. 

Author Shawn Achor in his book The Happiness Advantage cites a study in which people who just thought about watching their favorite movies actually raised their endorphin levels by 27%. According to the research, “Anticipating future rewards can actually light up the pleasure centers in your brain as much as the actual reward will.”

Anticipation is a gift a lot of us are missing out on.

Our culture of immediate gratification can make anticipation in many forms obsolete. I remember waiting weeks for my JCrew catalog order to be shipped. I can still see and smell the pages and how special it was not only to receive the clothes, but to make the order in the first place. My memories of that practice were distinct, because the process required thoughtfulness and planning, multiple stepsthe act of visualization and waiting. 

We lose a lot when we lose the process of anticipation:

  • Clarity from the practice of projecting scenarios forward
  • Empowerment and agency in taking initiative in leading yourself 
  • Momentum and motivation from visualizing your goal
  • Confidence as a result of preparation and readiness 
  • Peace from proactively thinking ahead
  • JOY from visualizing that experience, outcome or memory you’re trying to create

Ultimately, anticipation is a practice that keeps your eye on the ball of what matters to you. It helps prioritize your time and your actions. It has everything to do with leading yourself well. 

What would happen if we actively generated more anticipation in our lives? How could it work for us? 

I recently kicked off a mastermind with a group of fellow business owners. What would make me add time like this to my calendar? Community, accountability and a forcing function for anticipation. 

Every month I have to show up for myself and for them on what it is I’m looking forward to and how I’m making that thing happen in my world. 

What about you? What are you anticipating right now? Personally and professionally? As a leader in any facet of your life, you’ve got to ask and answer the question.  There’s no better time than right now.

So don’t miss this season of anticipation. It has a gift for you.