How Do Expectations Affect Our Lives?

Expectations are something we all have whether we realize it or not. Every time we enter a room, we have an expectation. Every time we have a conversation, we have an expectation. So how do they affect our lives?

Even my dog has expectations. Recently I ran downstairs to answer my cell phone. He ran down excitedly with me expecting, because I was running, that something interesting was going to happen. When the purpose was only to answer my phone, he looked at me with disappointment and reproach. He'd had high expectations. His recourse was to lie down on the floor with his head on his paws and his back to me until he got over his disappointment.

The secret to expectations is being realistic. Do we expect to win the lottery when in reality we have only bought a ticket. Our expectation should be that we can hope to win the lottery, if we are lucky. Do we walk into a room and expect everyone is going to greet us and be happy to see us when in reality we've entered the room with a grouchy face and have spoken to no one. We may also have the expectation that we are going to take a nice trip this year. But the reality may be that we have made no effort to save for one, possibly buying lunch out every day instead of putting that money towards the wished-for trip. In the case of my dog, there was no reason for him to have high expectations only a desire that there was going to be some company.

As humans we do the same thing but the realization of an expectation will not happen with no effort on our part. If we understand that our expectations must be realistic, we won't be disappointed because we will be willing to work towards them. We will be determined, persistent and motivated in our resolve to reach those expectations. We will set goals, be positive and problem solve any difficulties in order to reach our objectives. High expectations are good to have as long as we follow these basic principles. But high expectations based on unrealistic hopes and dreams will only cause us frustration.

How do we handle disappointments when we have high expectations? Do we sulk? Hopefully not. Do we get angry? This would solve little except perhaps give us high blood pressure. Does it make us cynical? In reality not everything works out the way we want it to. If we are looking to others to meet our expectations, we can only be disappointed. Meeting our expectations can only be achieved through our own efforts.

The following quote by Confucius is good common sense:

'The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.'

As is the next one by Ralph Marston.

'Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.'

And if through your best efforts you don't meet your expectations, don't sulk; try, try and try again. When trying to achieve high expectations the option should never be giving up.