Are you counting down the days for the coming new year? What are you most looking forward to? Based on the conversations I’ve had on this topic, we have some pretty great expectations for 2021. Our challenge will be to mind the gap.
Of course, hope, optimism, and positivity are important. They help us set and achieve goals. Those who practice positivity are often visionaries who inspire others through their ideas and positive enthusiasm.
Optimism is necessary for motivation; however, it is dangerous when planning and forecasting. Realism is key when making decisions, committing large sums of money, and setting certain expectations.
Research has found that almost everyone who has a propensity to be optimistic in their world view tends to have greater success, better health, and longer life. However, beliefs and expectations must be based on achievable reality. You see, expectations have a profound effect on our energy, drive, and happiness.
In the recent Harvard Business Review article, “How to Lead When Your Team is Exhausted,” Dr. Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg writes:
“It feels like the whole world is tired. Even though the vaccine shines a light at the end of the tunnel, the home stretch will be long and perhaps take a greater toll on our professional and personal lives than we expect it to.”
This is a reminder on how important it is to check in on our expectations.
Manage Great Expectations
There are two variables to consider in the management of our expectations: our expectations of other, and our expectations of self.
Let me ask: what was the last expectation you set for someone else? Chances are, it was the completion of a task which was clearly understood. Or was it?
Many of our expectations are often implicit; we don’t actually verbalize or negotiate our expected outcome. This sets us up for resentment. Instead, we need to manage our expectations with clear communication.
What about your personal expectations? Did you achieve the goals you set for yourself this year? Why, or why not? How do you feel about that?
Our perception of our experiences is critical to the way we pursue our goals and achieve success. At the end of the day, our happiness level can be measured by the number of expectations that were met. That’s why setting conscious, realistic goals and expectations is so important.
What do you think? What are your great expectations for 2021? I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me here, on LinkedIn, or give me a call: 561-582-6060.
