Expectations are a big deal in our lives. We all have them and whether we think about them or not we have them. Stated or unstated.
Expectations are just like opinions too, everyone has one, and just like opinions, expectations can be selfish. We set them for others without ever talking about them.
We have goals and tasks that we want to be accomplished, but only in our minds. We expect other people to be mind readers because we are expected to be mind readers. This cycle is normal and also can causes chaos in our lives. You would be surprised by far a few questions and a little talking can get you.
Many times our actions are dictated by the unstated expectations of others. A great example is professionalism.
From college to career you are expected to be professional in every way and in every aspect of your life. You need to dress professionally, talk professionally, and act professionally, but there’s one big problem with that:
Who defined what “professional” is?
There is no universal definition of professionalism. What is professional to one person isn’t necessarily professional to another. Does wearing a suit or uniform make you an expert at your job so that you can perform it in a professional manner?
I don’t think so.
It’s that person that makes the suit, suits don’t make people. All of this becomes really clear when talking about it, it is actually really simple.
The issue is that most of us don’t take the time to talk, think, or understand our own expectations, much less the expectations of others.
Not communicating expectations causes problems throughout life: in business, in relationships, and in friendships. It’s so difficult because we don’t think about our own expectations, and neither do other people.
In your life, what unstated expectations are you living by, and what are you going to do with them?
