Exceeded Expectations

If the term, exceeded or exceeds expectations rings a bell to you chances are that you read it on an HR performance review. If it was your own, congratulations!
Earlier today, I met with a number of men at my church at 6:00 AM for the first of what is supposed to be a six week study...33 The Series. So you say...SIX O'DARK O'CLOCK....in the morning? You gotta be kinddin' me! My expectation was that if I was lucky, I might be able to attract one or two early risers. Imagine my elation when five guys showed up. Now you may say...five doesn't sound like too much of a turnout. I guess it just gets down to where we set the bar...what are our expectations? Today, given that I was asking men to get up with the chickens, I set the bar rather low. But my real goal was not in the actual numbers attending but more so in the participation...and my guys just blew me out of the water. Granted we all had some issue watching a 25 minute video that was designed to stimulate the following discussion, but once the discussion began. WOW! These men engaged!! When I came in that morning I thought I would have to set the place on fire to get them motivated, I WAS WRONG! These men wanted to talk. These men had real life issues that they wanted to discuss. I was impressed. My expectations were exceeded. I'm looking forward to next week and hanging out with my new buds.