What kind of expectations do you have? How often are they met? What is the impact of unmet expectations? Critically examining your expectations will highlight where joy and happiness seem to be just outside your grasp. 

Today’s insight: You can’t expect much from an improper expectation.  

Whether with yourself or others, the following four statements must all be true for an expectation to be valid. Like in math, anything multiplied by zero is a zero. If any one of these items are missing, the likelihood of your expectation being met is zero.

1. You fully understand and can articulate the expectation you have. 
2. You fully communicate the expectation to everyone involved in the expectation.
3. Your expectation has been heard and is fully understood by all involved.
4. Everyone involved in the expectation has jointly agreed to the expectation.

Changing an expectation follows the same rules.