Weekly ideas to stimulate reflection, inspire new possibilities and encourage new ways of doing and being.
1. Test the water
This week’s word is: Expectation
An expectation can be defined as the belief that something will happen based on a preconceived idea. The word expectation comes from the Latin word expectationem, meaning anticipation or an awaiting.
What is your definition of expectation and how do you relate to it? Discuss the question here.
2. Experience the initial wave
To broaden your perspective, take few minutes to read the following thoughts and notice what comes up for you.
I.
“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” Bruce Lee
II.
“I am realistic – I expect miracles.” Wayne W. Dyer
III.
“Happiness depends not on how well things are going, but whether things are going better or worse than expected.” Robb Rutledge
3. Dive deep
To deepen your awareness and spark new discoveries, this week I invite you to start assessing your expectations. Pick a situation and explore the following questions:
What do you expect to happen?
Where do these expectations come from / what are they influenced by?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of setting high expectations versus low expectations, and what outcomes might arise from not setting any expectations at all?
4. Ride your radiant wave
We all have heard about the Happiness = Reality / Expectations formula.
While this strategy of maintaining low expectations in life may be helpful for mitigating unhappiness, it is not useful for enhancing happiness. The approach that enhances happiness is to learn how to respond after a “below expectations” event has taken place by spending as little time as possible mulling over the negatives and rather focusing on the opportunities that the event has generated.
This week I invite you to manage the direction in which your mind wanders after a “below expectations” event occurs. Reflecting on your disappointments can help you understand the expectations that led to them in the first place and help you set more healthy expectations for the future.
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