Planning,  Productivity,  Simplify

You Are Not Responsible For Other’s Expectations

Wednesdays are simplicity days at SimpleProductivity blog.


It is easy to do something because someone expects it. But that doesn’t account for whether we want to do it, or if we even should do it.

Sometimes the expectations are spoken. Sometimes they are implied. And sometimes we imagine them to be there.

A wise friend once said to me that, “Expectations are premeditated resentments.”(Click to Tweet) When I expect something from someone else and that expectation is not met, I get resentful. On the flip side, other people’s expectations, especially when they are not in line with what I want, can cause me to be resentful as well.

Here’s the thing, though: you are not responsible for someone else’s expectations.(click to Tweet)

If something is dragging you down, sapping your energy, or out of line with your vision and goals, you don’t have to keep doing it just because someone expects you to. Do it because you want to, 100% and without reservation, or don’t do it at all.

Of course, if you find yourself mired in other’s expectations, it isn’t just as easy as walking away. Replacing your part, or getting others to do what they can do for themselves, requires some careful stepping. So I’m not saying to renege on promises…just to move away from continuing to do those things that make you resentful.

And you might be wondering how this impacts productivity?

Projects you have no interest in sap your energy and time. If you compare two projects, one which energizes you, and one that drags you down, which one do you think will have a negative impact on the things you do immediately afterward? The draggy one.

Get rid of the projects you don’t want to do, or shouldn’t do. Free up your energy for things that revitalize you. Claim the time back into your life.


Photo by jurvetson. Licensed under Creative Commons.