Get real

Expectations. We've talked a lot about them in these blogs as well as in my monthly ezine (sign up for my ezine on any of my website pages if you haven't already done so).

Expectations can be quite delightful—and, like anticipation, can be a large percent of any good experience. But often, they get us into trouble, too.

Have you ever had unrealistic expectations of what an event will be like? Or how a friend or family member will respond to you? I certainly have done that. Because I tend to be an idealist and a romantic, I find it easy to have higher expectations than are merited both for people and for the situations I face. And I get disappointed many times.

So here's what I try to do these days: I try to dial back my expectations and hang loose about what will happen and what those I love will do. I tell myself quite frequently, "It is what it is" or "It will be what it will be." And when I'm successful at hanging loose and at not investing too much in a particular outcome, I'm far happier. And most likely, I'm more fun to be around then, too.

I try to be much more aware these days of what my inner dialogue and script contain. "Stay open, Sonia," I remind myself. 

What tricks do you use to downsize your expectations? How do you go with the flow and stay in the moment? I'd love to hear what works for you.