Expectations V's reality

Expectation is a strong belief that something will happen or be the case. It is impossible to have zero expectations, at least, according to me. I believe every individual has their own expectations of people or things. Most of the time expectations are unspoken, and unexpressed, at times you don’t even know you have them until you are disappointed big time, at something, or in someone. When expectations are high they bring about entitlements fueled by things such as duty, responsibilities, titles, and commitments, just to mention but a few. Expectations are not necessarily a bad thing since they can be used as instruments of keeping us in check. They only become a bad thing when they graduate to become entitlements. Meeting expectations is supposed to be free will because when you are forced into something unwillingly, it cancels out effectiveness. As people, we have expectations even for ourselves.

A lot of people have schedules and timetables, so as to do what they expect themselves to do to be equipped to meet the expectations that others have on them. For example when one wants to acquire a certain type of job, but lacks the standards of the required skill set, they have to put in extra work and expect themselves to learn in a particular period of time. It all starts with us. We can’t meet other people’s expectations of us if we don’t meet ours’ first. Responsibilities also bring about expectations but it depends on who you are. The role you play influences your responsibilities. Someone said, ‘Responsibilities can be shared but roles cannot’ because, responsibilities are brought about by culture, whereas roles are by God. Meaning that responsibilities are manmade. For example, a married man is expected to pay the house bills and at the same time, he’s expected to be the leader in the same house. The role is to be the leader, the responsibility is to pay the bills. When he is both, he is able to function effectively and be productive and also be able to meet the expectations of his wife and the people around him. When roles are reversed it will be tragic because it’s impossible to be the expected best version of you in an area you are not designed to function. Where you’re from also matters when it comes to expectations. Financial background especially, influences what kind of expectations your parents are going to have on you. For example, when you are coming from a poor background, most parents want the best of their children conditionally, in regards to how much you are going to be of help to them when you are at your best. On the other side most parents bringing up children from a wealthy environment, want the best for their children, unconditionally, to be of help to society, and to the next generation with fewer expectations which is contrary to the prior parents.