Avoid the Pressure of High Expectations by Resetting Them

The harder you work, the more others will expect from you. This can be a double-edged sword, but if you find yourself overwhelmed by the expectations placed on you, reverse the dynamic rather than simply trying to lower the expectations.

Whether it’s your boss, your friends, or your relationship, lower expectations always come with some negative side effects. If you are feeling overwhelmed, instead of trying to convince the person who expects things from you to expect less, try switching them completely to something new. As author Seth Godin explains, it can be tricky, but it can also give you some control over your life:

Raise expectations forever and even Superman will let us down. One possible way is to do what Bob Dylan has done several times – to destroy them. Turn left when everyone expects you to turn right. Run something that doesn’t make sense. Drop expectations instead of raising them.

If your boss makes you overwork, ask if you can be reassigned or cut back on a new project. If you have too many friends who want to see you and you travel too much, invite them to your place instead. Taking the initiative and changing the situation in a way that will benefit them differently (it’s easier for you!) Will almost always be perceived more positively than trying to lower existing expectations.

The Paradox of Growing Expectations | Seth Godin

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