What’s the Problem With High Expectations?

The Pros

From one perspective, there’s nothing wrong with aspiring towards greatness.  High personal expectations stretch us and help us grow.  These personal expectations can help us reach great heights.  Some of us would not have gotten to where we are today without holding ourselves to these high standards.

The Cons

The down side to having high expectations is that they can cause pressure in our personal lives and relationships.  This pressure can lead to disappointment and frustration.  Putting yourself or someone else on a high pedestal is impractical and unrealistic.  To ease this pressure, we need to come to terms with the fact that we have limits to our capabilities.  We are flawed and sometimes weak, but that’s ok.  None of us are alone in this fact.

“There’s a crack in everything.  That’s how the light gets in.”  Leonard Cohen

Maybe sometime in the future we will become super heros, but for now, let’s learn to be content!

When you face your (or someone else’s) weakness or inability remember the saying “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Practicing compassion is a sure fire way to become more gentle with your and others shortcomings.

Exercise on Creating Nourishing Expectations

Consider identifying one or two unrealistically high expectations you have of yourself in the areas of health, fitness or relationships.  For example, maybe you expect that you will exercise 6 times for 1 hour per week or keep your house clean from top to bottom 7 days a week.  Once you’ve identified one or two and written them down, come up with a more realistic expectation you could start implementing instead of your previous stress-inducing expectation.  Adopting a gentler expectation of yourself will help to reduce your stress and accept yourself (and others), imperfections and all.

Here’s what I’d love for you to do…Join in the conversation below.  That’s where the real learning begins!  Comment on how your expectations have helped or hindered you and please do connect with me on Facebook!

With Love,

Amy