ENERGY + EXPECTATIONS
Hello and welcome back. It’s February! The theme of the month around here is energy. More specifically, the physical, mental, and emotional energy we keep. I believe our energy is the most valuable resource in our toolbox. The good news (and bad news when mismanaged) is our energy is not set, it varies from day to day, maybe even hour to hour. Thankfully it’s a renewable resource. We can generate more of it, we can use it to influence our productivity, fuel our relationships, and share it with others. Today, I am sharing what I’ve found to be the number one influencer on my energy—my relationship with expectation.
Expectations aren’t all bad, they can be good for us. Expectations keep us engaged, they can help us define standards and hold boundaries, and often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s what we do when an expectation isn’t met, that matters most. In those crucial few moments before choosing our response. What I continue to learn and relearn, over, and over, is that regardless of the challenge, circumstance, or opportunity in front of me, how I respond when faced with unmet expectation either infuses energy or sucks the ever-living life of it right out of me. The space between how we think things “should” go or “should” be and what is true, can either torment our energy or be a teacher. Educate and encourage us to a new discovery about ourselves and/or our attachment to an expectation.
How do you know if you’re stuck in resentment of unmet expectation? When little things become big annoyances, when looking for someone or something else to blame becomes more important than the solution, when you can only see what’s missing or what's not working instead of noticing what is right. What’s the antithesis to being stuck here? Take perspective. Will this matter in 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years? Practice curiosity and acceptance to create energy that fuels resilience, compassion, and the flexibility to stay open. The opportunity to work on our relationship with unmet expectation and its impact on our energy is plentiful. This week, notice your relationship with expectation and how it impacts your energy throughout the day.
How would you rate your overall energy right now?
Where are you feeling the most resistance?
Is there an expectation in a circumstance or relationship you are holding too tightly?
What could be possible without this expectation?
Some of the most seemingly disappointing moments of my life have preceded my bravest and boldest decisions and growth. We are a work in progress and continue to be as long as we are blessed to be alive and well in the world. Trust the process and go easy on you. Protect your energy to make space for what is good--let go of the rest.
Stay open, brave, and on-purpose.