Last Word

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re usually right”. So, if we have the expectation that something will happen will that ensure that it magically occurs?

I think there are two kinds of people in the world;

1 - People who set very high expectations for themselves and if these expectations are not met, they are really disappointed.

2 - People who set low expectations for themselves and are pleasantly surprised when things turn out better than initially thought.

Expectations can be good things, as they can push us to achieve bigger and better things. Setting expectations keeps me motivated and helps me to stay on track. However, sometimes they are the reason for stress and pressure which are not things we need in our already stressful teenage lives. Have you ever considered whether the expectations that you set yourself are helpful? Or are they unrealistic, setting you up for failure?

If you find yourself often dissatisfied, it may be time to check in with the expectations you set for yourself. How can we set realistic expectations without putting ourselves under immense pressure? I did some research and these were some tips that I found helpful.

1. Examine your expectation - are you expecting to be the best or to do your best?

2. Examine your values - does the way you go about achieving your goals align with your personal values? Maybe setting your expectations of being kind, encouraging is supportive a more achievable goal.

3. Don’t let your expectations be set in concrete - challenges come and you need to be able to adapt to them.

4. Make sure your expectation is your own and not someone else’s, don't compare yourself to others.

5. What is your why? - if you have a strong why behind your goal then it will help you stay focused and motivated.

Please don’t walk away from here thinking that setting high expectations for yourself is a bad thing, that you shouldn’t set goals and go after them. Just make sure they are realistic, helpful in enabling you to achieve what you really want. Because remember if you aim for nothing you will definitely hit it.