Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012

Maintaining reasonable expectations and acknowledging when folks make an effort are both great mentalities to remember when interacting with others.  Though this seems straightforward enough to be common sense, I’ve noticed how many forget these simple standards.

Let’s start with maintaining reasonable expectations.  Oh, the woes that could be avoided or downgraded if only this practice was followed more regularly!  Think about it.  If you have something you want/need done in a specific manner, then why not share with the class rather than expecting them to be mind readers?  It only take moments extra to convey what you want/need done and how, whereas it takes an inordinate amount of time, effort and energy to get upset when things don’t run smoothly and you’re left to scramble at the eleventh hour.

Next, acknowledging the effort folks make to get things done or to please us, in my humble opinion, requires nothing less than absolute recognition of their efforts.  What better way to keep a smooth-running process going than to take the time to give thanks where thanks are due?  To pause and smile at those who make an extra effort?  Go the extra mile?  Extend themselves in ways they aren’t required just to make things better for us.  And even if they are required to do those things, why not show some human compassion and thank them for their efforts?

So oft, people get caught up in the hectic hustle and bustle of life’s whirlwind to the point of forgetting how simplistic it is to simplify certain aspects of our lives.  Maintaining reasonable expectations and acknowledging when folks make an effort are both great means by which we can make more sense of that whirlwind and spin in more accordance with what would best serve us.  Our needs.  Wants.  Desires.  But most of all, by exacting these mentalities and putting them into practice, we show that we’re in control of not only ourselves but also of exacting a better outcome.