There is a saying Expectations hurt!
I never knew the meaning of this saying until it got to me. Graduating from the university and serving my fatherland has been something that I expected to achieve and this expectations really came through for me just as I had it all planned out. But just for this one expectation which has not come through and has brought lots of hurt and disappointment to me. You might be wondering what it is?
A job!
In Nigeria getting a job is really very tough and unless you have God and also a strong backup via someone who could make it possible for you to get one, then you're sure of becoming a working class individual. What happens to those individuals who have only God via the job hunting race? Well, I see myself in this category of individuals. Could it be why I've not been able to get myself a job? Definitely not!
Each interview I had, I expected a positive outcome from it. After all being positive in life situations ain't bad at all. But it really hurts when you expect something and don't get it in return. I became tired of getting hurt and I looked for a way to settle this. Maybe keeping my expectations low would work, that way I would avoid the risk of being hurt and disappointed.
Did it really work?
Yes! it worked perfectly for me. I can't even remember the last time I felt hurt☺️ It's been such a long time.
You see? Having high expectations can influence our personal wellbeing especially when we put in all our thoughts to it and it finally doesn't come through, it can cause a lot of stress and self criticism.
Don't get me wrong! Having expectations can get us motivated but how we manage our expectations when it goes wrong really matters a great deal.
One key way to manage expectations is, you have to be ready to adapt to the changing expectations; when situations turn around or things don't turn out to be just the way you expected, you just have to pause, take a chill pill and keep going. Try reframing your initial expectation with possible ways that could make it come true. And hey! Give yourself enough time to go again.
Do not harshly judge yourself when your expectations fail you instead have it in mind that whether your expectations comes out positive or negative you're learning or exploring life as you go.
Have you had high expectations on something that finally didn't come as you expected?
How did you manage it?
Kindly share with us in the comment section.