As humans, we all have a general idea about what we want out of our lives and who we want to become. It is in our nature to be calculative all the time and trying our best to guess the outcome of an event based off which we create expectations.
It is surprising how often we do this. Just notice throughout the day how many times you had hoped something would happen. That is how we function and it is totally fine.
The problem arises when we expect too much, either of people or of circumstances. Sometimes the optimism is just too high for our own good. Too much of a good thing can hurt too.
Therefore it is very important that we take a reality check every once in a while so that we can remain grounded. The consequences of not doing so can be grave and can cost you even your happiness. Let’s talk further about why it is important to manage our expectations.
1. Happier Relationships
It is quite obvious that the less expectations people have with each other, the happier they will be in any given relationship. That is because the primary reason for disappointment is falling short of expectations of the other person.
And I’m not only talking about the relationship between a guy and a girl. It can be between a father and a son, between siblings, between two friends. The less you expect from the other person, the happier you are going to be.
One thing about us is that we all have flaws. None of us is perfect. And that is fine. We are only humans. Therefore, it is just better to accept each others’ flaws and get on with life.
2. Easier to Deal With Setbacks
When you have an expectation, you can sometimes be so sure of it that when it doesn’t happen, it feels like being hit by a brick. Then follows the disappointment and a harsh reality check.
So, why not take one before hand and keep things realistic and be prepared. That way, even if something doesn’t go our way as we expected, the setback wouldn’t hurt that much.
The most common mistake people make today is that they expect too much in too little time. This is after all the age of instant gratification we live in but we need to mend our ways.
3. Saves You From Losses
Sometimes, expecting a little less of circumstances can save you from incurring losses. I am primarily talking about situations where money is involved thought it can be applicable in other situations as well.
Sometimes our optimism leads us to make foolish decisions because then, we set our expectations high. It is obvious that where money is involved, you’d rather listen to your brain than your heart. Study situations well and set very realistic expectations.
This can save you from losing your money. An example that comes to mind is, buying stock in a startup because you believe it will do great, only to have it fail and you losing money on it.
4. Helps You Live Happier
The thing about expectations is that they come with burden. We start to adjust our lives according to them and we put ourselves in pressure of living up to our preconceived notions.
Sometimes it can be the other way around too. People around us may expect certain things from us and somehow we let that affect us. If you let yourself get too bothered by other people’s expectations, it won’t be long before you start feeling suffocated.
If you let all that go, you will find that you are a much happier person. A stress free life is like a dream these days owing to the way our society is structured. Why make it harder to achieve.
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Having said all this, I believe that we should still set expectations for ourselves. Because if we don’t do so, we might end up not giving our hundred percent which will lead us to not realising our full potential and possibly falling short of what we can truly become in life.
All I’m saying is, do what is best for you in any circumstances. Be rational, logical and think critically but still listen to your gut. It is best when the brain and the heart work together.