In the last decade or so, I have felt the increasing burden of expectations that people have from SELF and OTHERS. Whether it is to do with work, relationships, self, there are huge expectation standards. And if not achieved, only leads to disappointment. I don’t think having expectations is a terrible thing but to have beyond imagination expectations is what is driving people up the wall. There is a certain expectation from each individual on how he/she should be in the society and how they should move around in the society. I mean is this a reasonable expectation to have? And when the individual doesn’t fall in line with the expectation they are talked about behind their back. But who cultivated these expectations and where have they come from?

The way our society works, there is so much competition in any and every field. I mean for people to be just who they are is like climbing Mount Everest. And it’s not only about adults but even children are dragged into this competitive culture. There is no more time for children to play, as they are only sucked into doing every class possible on earth after they finish school. And the rest of the time they are on some electronic gadget. Not sure where the future is heading. It is these expectations that lead to unnecessary competition.

There is so much focus on what the other person is doing and where they are heading for a holiday, which new restaurant they are visiting, how much money they are making, what their kids are doing, etc. Off course now we want those same things, but have we analyzed if we truly want and can afford those things? We have probably not given it much thought and it is these expectations that land on us and our family. Please understand, there is nothing wrong in wanting more in life and working hard for it. The problem is when you want it only because someone else has it. If you truly checked in with yourself maybe that is not your true desire. So now we have put all these unnecessary expectations on self and our family and we cannot understand why we are not happy?

Don’t be afraid to look within and ask yourself what you truly want from life and work towards that path, it may not necessarily have to match someone else’s desire but it is what you seek for yourself. Rather than expecting unrealistically from self, set expectations that are achievable for self and which truly will keep you motivated and happy. How can we turn this around? Instead of expecting from self and others all the time try connecting to self and others. Replace the word EXPECTATION with CONNECTION and see how that works out for you. Connection with self, will help you set expectations in line with who you are and what you desire which will be realistic and achievable.