I think on some primal level, people hunger for validation. Hence the 5 year plans, the well-scheduled days, the constant, twitching check marks on the ever-present to do list. We like to think we will look back and say, "Oh, yes--this all went exactly as I planned it."
Riddle me this, June Cleaver:
When was the last time something in your life went exactly as you planned it?
It's important to set expectations mostly so that we can macerate them in the endless, beautiful, cycling processes of daily life. My best experiences have come from the imploding shrapnel of destroyed expectations. In order to set this whole "Let's make a neat to do list and set reasonable achievable goals" process on fire, lets review some 21st century advice for setting expectations that you probably won't be able to meet:
Discuss your expectations, preferably with the most argumentative, aggravating, co-worker non-friend you can find. The type of people that will ask you why you would ever want to master the art of French pastry when there's a damn bakery around the corner. Well Julia Child--why DO you want to learn how to make les petit fours?? Be prepared to hash it out and defend yourself, or modify your expectations.
Take a 180 on your expectations. Every once in a while spend a day during the absolute opposite of what you think you want to be doing. Trying to settle down and start a family? Put the ovulation calendar DOWN and schedule a fancy, dirty martini dinner. Want to be promoted to the next level at your job? Spend a day learning the responsibilities of a totally different department. How else will you know if you're pursuing the right dream? How will you maintain respect for your expectations if you don't challenge them?
Be adventurous in what you expect from yourself. Obviously you want to get that big work project done, schedule a girls night, get your nails done, whatever. YAWN. Celebrate your work deadline with a weekend skydiving trip. Host the girls at the hot, new bar and make high heels a mandatory requirement. If you're going to set expectations, aim high. Better to fail in a blaze of glory than to set yourself up for a life of mediocrity.
Lose sleep. If you do not have to lose some sleep to meet your expectations, you're not trying hard enough. You live ONCE. Blowing your life out of the water does not happen between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. Burn some midnight oil and do something interesting.
For some other great articles on expectations, check out Amanda Cristian on Tinybuddha.com.
Riddle me this, June Cleaver:
When was the last time something in your life went exactly as you planned it?
It's important to set expectations mostly so that we can macerate them in the endless, beautiful, cycling processes of daily life. My best experiences have come from the imploding shrapnel of destroyed expectations. In order to set this whole "Let's make a neat to do list and set reasonable achievable goals" process on fire, lets review some 21st century advice for setting expectations that you probably won't be able to meet:
Take a 180 on your expectations. Every once in a while spend a day during the absolute opposite of what you think you want to be doing. Trying to settle down and start a family? Put the ovulation calendar DOWN and schedule a fancy, dirty martini dinner. Want to be promoted to the next level at your job? Spend a day learning the responsibilities of a totally different department. How else will you know if you're pursuing the right dream? How will you maintain respect for your expectations if you don't challenge them?
Lose sleep. If you do not have to lose some sleep to meet your expectations, you're not trying hard enough. You live ONCE. Blowing your life out of the water does not happen between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. Burn some midnight oil and do something interesting.
For some other great articles on expectations, check out Amanda Cristian on Tinybuddha.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment