Seeking Happiness? Cut Back on Expectations

If you want to be always in your happiness zone, you need to cut back on expectations. Okay, may be it is not practically possible to be in your happiness zone always, but why as much as possible.

Here is the thing. Expectations, especially the wrong kind, can take you away from happiness zone faster than you blink. Because when expectations are not fulfilled, it leads to frustration and disappExpectations, especially the wrong kind, can take you away from happiness zone faster than you blink.ointment, which prevents you from being happy.

How to Cut Back on Expectations?

The first step here is to set the expectations low.

Next, talk to the other person if they are okay with the expectations you have set. Because if your expectations are beyond the other person’s capabilities or willingness to do, you are setting yourself up for sure-shot frustration. Nip it in the bud.

And finally, when your expectations are not met, try to analyse what went wrong. When you see the reason behind why your well-laid plans failed, you will feel less disappointed.

But wait, what about self-expectations? Should that be low too?

Well, that’s a tricky question. Let's dive in.

Managing Self-Expectation

How much to expect from yourself is a real dilemma.

If your expectation bar is too low, you are not playing to your strengths fully and hence not reaching your growth potential. If you set too high expectations, that is bound to break your heart when you fail, and probably your spirits too for some time.

So it’s best to stick somewhere in between. Where you stretch your strengths but not overkill. And that comes with practice and experience.

Final Thoughts

Just remember, nothing is to be gained out of being hard on yourself or others when expectations are not met. Be kind to whoever is at the receiving end of your expectations. Whether it's someone else or you yourself.

Do you use have your own framework for setting expectations? If not, it's time to set one.

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