I deal with my expectations by first acknowledging them and then actively communicating them with those involved. This process includes clarification, reality checks, and adjustments to ensure they remain realistic, helpful, and important.
Managing Expectations Effectively
Here's a breakdown of how I manage expectations, drawing from the reference provided:
1. Acknowledge Your Expectations
- The first step is to recognize and understand your own expectations.
- What are you hoping for in a given situation?
- What assumptions are you making?
2. Communicate Your Expectations
- Communication is crucial according to the reference.
- Once you've acknowledged your expectations, share them with others who are involved.
- This step is important to avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Clarify and Question
- Ask clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the situation and other people's perspectives.
- Address your assumptions. Are your assumptions based on fact, or are they assumptions without evidence?
- Example: Instead of assuming a project will be completed in a week, ask, "What is the expected timeline?" or "Are there any constraints I should be aware of?".
4. Reality Check
- After communication, assess if your expectations are still realistic, helpful, or important.
- Be prepared to adjust your expectations if necessary.
- Factors to consider during your reality check are:
- Current resources.
- Time available.
- Skills and experience of the involved parties.
- External factors that may impact outcomes.
Practical Examples
| Scenario | Initial Expectation | Communication & Clarification | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team project | Expect all members to contribute equally and complete their tasks by a set date. | Discuss individual team members' schedules, commitments, and potential challenges with each of them. | Establish a flexible timeline and divide tasks based on individual availability, ensuring no single member is burdened. |
| New Skill Learning | Expect to be proficient at the new skill within a few weeks. | Research what other users say about the average time it takes to master the skill, ask for insights from experienced users. | Adjust the timeframe to realistically match the average learning curve and pace yourself effectively. |
| Event Planning | Expect perfect execution of the event, with no hiccups along the way. | Discuss potential problems or mishaps with the team and create a plan b. | Prepare to adapt to changes, focus on handling issues efficiently instead of pursuing complete perfection. |
| Friendships and Relationships | Expect always to see or talk to your friend or partner on a set regular basis. | Communicate the need for such frequency and listen to the other side. | Find a mutual compromise to the desired frequency that works for both parties. |
By actively managing expectations through these steps, I aim to reduce disappointment and promote successful outcomes in personal and professional situations.
