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Turning Left

From high-energy workouts to everyday moments, your focus and expectations shape your results. Want better outcomes? Expect more—from yourself and others.

Published On: April 9, 2025

Happy Wednesday!

I am sliding in here by the skin of my teeth – unless you are on the far east of the planet, then I missed the deadline (Happy Thursday!).

I am writing to you from a coastal city in South Africa. It’s our National Aquatics Championships, so we’ll be poolside cheering for my son and the rest of the team!

It’s been a busy start to the year, but so far we have all been pretty good about sticking to what we set out to do. I’ve even managed to regularly swipe my gym card and actually train!

I have a favourite gym class.

it’s high energy, martial arts based and burns over 500 calories.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, there is more…

Since the moment “Johnny” (Patrick Swayze) beat-stepped towards Baby, with the full staff contingent of Kellermans in perfect sync behind him, I have secretly wanted to be part of a scene like that!

And this class brings it!

Imagine around 20-30 people moving like a flash mob, it’s magnificent.

While it lasts.

I was in a class last week, my watch repeatedly warning me about the loud environment – step, punch, step, step kick, punch repeat. Brilliant!

Now, do the same routine to the left, the instructor signalled…

Bugger. Not so brilliant.

He jokingly mimed blowing his whistle and showing me a red card.

Why is it so much harder to the left? There are obvious reasons like being right side dominant, but that’s not it, it’s something way easier to override than that.

It’s all about focus and expectations.

You see, at the start of the sequence I pay attention to what we have to do. I focus on the order, the movements and the combinations. I want to get it right

But then when we mirror the sequence I assume I kinda know it now, so I don’t pay as much attention. My mind wanders a bit and I fumble, ruining the perfect symphony and throwing off the people around me!

As soon as the instructor responds and expects more of me, 2 things happen…

  1. My attention springs back to both my feet and the beat

  2. I don’t assume anything and literally take one step at a time

One reason why this works is pretty obvious – when you focus you increase the chances of getting it right by roughly a thousand percent.

The second reason is linked to the instructor and it’s known as the Pygmalion effect. This is a psychological phenomenon where higher expectations lead to improved performance.

Here is a quick lesson in Greek Mythology before we move on…

Pygmalion was a sculptor who carved a statue of a woman so beautiful that he fell in love with it. The goddess Aphrodite was moved by his love and brought the statue to life, transforming it into a real woman named Galatea. This myth represents the idea that one’s beliefs and expectations can transform reality.

Henry Ford understood this when he said “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

So …

  • expect more from the people around you are you’ll be surprised how they rise
  • expect more from yourself and you’ll be amazed at the things you’ll do

We will all be dirty dancing our way through life!

Ok, time for bed – it’s a big day of racing for us tomorrow!
Kira Goller

Reading time: 3min

Table of contents

Who is Kira Goller?

I am a wife, mother, marketer and writer.

This isn’t what I have always done. Each chapter built on the next and took everything I could out of every opportunity. I have been taught by some of the best in the world and will never stop learning – it’s an obsession of sorts.

Today I help people bring their brands to life, build a presence in the world thats authentic, consistent and draws their ideal audience.

I am passionate about young people and run workshops to educate, guide and inspire them to create a digital footprint their future selves will be grateful for!

When you are Ready, here’s how I can Help

Build your Brand – Do you have a business or an idea but not sure what to do next?

I will help you figure it out and create whatever you need including – Brand Guide, Logo, Website, Soial Profiles etc

Establish your Brand Narrative – Are you unsure of what you want to say or how to say it?

I will help you establish you key messaging and brand voice

Write – Do you need help writing the copy for your website, emails or other content?

I will write your message, in your voice, in a way that immediately connects with your audience.

Teach Teenagers how to Build an Authentic, Intentional Digital Presence.

I run workshops that empower young people to create a digital presence their future selves are depending on them for!