how does expectations affect our lives.?

Answer 1

AWESOME question!!!

I think expectations affect EVERY aspect of our lives. We all have certain beliefs about what should or might happen in any event. IF xxxxx happens, then XXXXX will result. How close the event comes to meeting our expectations affects our emotions directly. If you're wrong about it, and it was something simple...with no real consequence...you will still be disappointed that you were wrong. If you were wrong about it...and it was something you were dreading...you will be relieved, but subconsciously disappointed that you were wrong. If you were right...you will have a sense of satisfaction...even if it was something you were dreading. If you were right and it was a hope...you will be satisfied AND happy.

So, you could create an If-Then matrix that included the expectation (met or not), and the feeling about the event (positive or negative), and 3rd, the satisfaction/dis-satisfaction with your expectation.

We have to be careful with our expectations most when regarding other people. It is often hard to remember that we cannot control other people's actions/reactions, and therefore should not give much "weight" to our expectations regarding them.

Answer 2

They have a huge effect on us. We do well in school because our parents expect us to. We go to college because we want to better ourselves...because our parents expect us to!! LOL We go into careers that are often not fulfilling although extremely lucrative, stay in them for years, and work ourselves to the point of exhaustion...because that's what society expects us to do. Many times we meet, date, and marry the "right" man or woman...because that's what we are expected to do. The list goes on and on.

The moral of the story is only when we stop doing what is EXPECTED of us and start doing what makes us HAPPY will we be truly fulfilled individuals.