The consequences are usually more subtle in real life, but managing your expectations can make you more content and successful.
Here are some tips for having and managing your great expectations.
Distinguish between goals and expectations. Say you can want to lose 30 pounds or buy a new car. Look for lessons when the outcome doesn’t match your expectation. Did you set a SMART goal to help you actually realize that expectation?
Raise the bar. Ambitions challenge you to improve. You hone your skills and reach achievements that build your confidence.
Use the anticipation. Another advantage to setting great expectations is that it gives you much to look forward to. You feel motivated to put forth your best efforts when you anticipate the rewards.
Be realistic. Keeping your expectations reasonable reduces stress. There is a difference between a high expectation and a fantasy. Understand your abilities and strengths. Calculate what resources you have available.
Communicate clearly. Hidden assumptions can make it complicated to figure out the true expectations of others, as well as our own thoughts. Listen closely and ask probing questions.
Start early. There’s a good reason why major campaigns schedule pre-kickoff meetings, and employers orient new hires. It’s easier to agree on expectations at the start rather than trying to resolve conflicts after someone feels let down.
Reinterpret setbacks. When you’re facing outcomes that are less than ideal, remain calm, and remember. Think about previous challenges that helped you to grow stronger.
Plan for contingencies. Temporary bumps in the road won’t seem like such a big deal when you’ve already mapped out a detour route. Watch for potential obstacles in advance so you’ll be prepared with a plan to make changes.
Accept change. Are your expectations keeping up with the times? Check on whether you’re putting aside enough savings for your retirement years and have the latest qualifications to excel in your professional field.
Establish priorities. Exceeding expectations can be a wise decision if it helps you to land a new client or give your family a vacation they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. But, sometimes good enough is good enough. As Voltaire wrote, “a wise Italian says that the best is the enemy of the good.”
Seize opportunities. Managing expectations can be especially rewarding when your hard work pays off better than you hoped. Maybe your hobby will turn into a profitable small business or you’ll meet your future spouse on a blind date. Share your blessings with others.
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Psychologists believe that the most effective approach is to aim high while being flexible and realistic.
So in your business, your finances, health, spiritual, family, and personal relationships, set ambitious expectations -- and create S.M.A.R.T.goals to reach those expectations – without being rigid with them. Know that you can use any setback or circumstance to learn and grow.
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