Welcome to another episode of My Growth Club, hosted by Emmanuel and Grace! In this episode, we dive deep into the idea of success, expectations, and the unseen forces driving our choices. Many of us are chasing a certain feeling—whether it’s success, love, or fulfillment—without realizing how much our expectations, shaped by society, media, and personal beliefs, influence our happiness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Illusion of Success – How societal expectations shape our definition of success and why many people feel unfulfilled even after achieving their goals. The Power of Expectations – Why unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration in relationships, marriage, and life. Redefining Success for yourself – How to shift from chasing things to embracing a state of flourishing—where growth, purpose, and genuine fulfillment thrive. Lowering unrealistic expectations = More happiness – Instead of expecting perfection, focus on mutual growth. Affective Forecasting Errors: – Studies demonstrate that we tend to overestimate the intensity and duration of our future emotional reactions, making us vulnerable to disappointment when outcomes don’t match our predictions. Hedonic Adaptation: Research shows that tying happiness to specific outcomes (e.g., achieving a goal) often leads to only temporary joy as we quickly return to our baseline emotional state. The Identity-Behavior Cycle – How your core beliefs shape your choices, emotions, and long-term happiness.   Resources Mentioned: • Effective Living Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRZWRQ82 • Effective Living Notion System: https://www.notion.com/templates/effectivelivingos • Effective Living Family Notion System: https://www.notion.com/templates/effectivelivingfamilysystem Our Gift to You: • Family/Friends 365 Bible Study: Get it for free here: https://www.notion.com/templates/family-friends-365-days-bible-study • More Notion Templates: Explore at https://www.notion.com/@mygrowthclub