Genius ways to MANAGE YOUR TIME AND EXPECTATION
SET REALISTIC GOALS WITH THESE EXPERT TIPS
Have you ever expected too much of yourself or been disappointed because your expectations weren’t met by others? According to Shannah Kennedy, author of the book Plan B: A Guide to Navigating and Embracing Change, society runs at a fast pace and it can often feel hard to keep up.
“It’s easy to have unrealistic expectations of yourself and others, which may cause you to feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, frustrated and stressed,” says Shannah. “Mindfully managing these expectations, as you activate all your plans, will allow you to move more easily through changes, loosen your grip and find a healthier pace. [It] will leave you more fulfilled as you flow through your Plan B.”
Here, Shannah shares how to set yourself up for success…
GIVE YOURSELF TIME
Healthy doses of ambition are wonderful – they fire up the soul and spark joy. I am an ambitious and driven and, therefore, sometimes impatient person. And it is a challenge to slow things down to take care of myself and avoid burnout. “I give myself time,” is one of my mantras, and I constantly challenge myself to slow my mind, to find a little more balance and calmness. Be mindful of your schedule as you set daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly goals, and be realistic.
ADAPT TO CHANGING EXPECTATIONS
As you are fully aware, things do not always go according to plan. So, when they don’t work out or take longer than expected, remember to do your breath work, reground yourself and try not to react too emotionally. Take a moment to pause, consider your options, reframe your initial expectations, respond calmly and move forward.
MANAGE EXPECTATIONS
You might have your own expectations sorted, but it
can be difficult to change or manage what other people may expect of you. So be gentle, and invest some time and energy into communicating with others clearly and openly.
DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF TOO HARSHLY
Criticising yourself if you forget to do something or if you fall into a rut will get you nowhere. Judging yourself harshly for failure or when you don’t live up to your goals depletes your energy and your confidence. It’s OK to learn as you go.
COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING
If people don’t know what you need and want, how can they support you? Talk about your schedule, boundaries, likes and dislikes with others so they have a chance to really be there for you (and vice versa).
PREPARE AGAIN
We will often face small challenges in our personal, social and working lives. But I like to follow Benjamin Disraeli’s ethos: “I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.” I try to imagine the worst-case scenario and anticipate the possible outcomes. This allows your mind to prepare plans C, D and E to ensure you meet all expectations, even if things don’t go to plan. Be aware of your expectations. Are they helpful? Learn to set a goal each morning that will guide your schedule and expectations for the day.