What do you expect?

An EXPECTATION is a belief that someone will or should achieve something, while an ASPIRATION is a hope or ambition of achieving a goal.

On the surface there doesn’t seem to be much difference between the two. In fact, the use of the words interchangeably would likely not be corrected by those we are in conversation with. Many of us go through life without consciously delineating between expectations and aspirations.

However, over the years, many I’ve worked with have experienced a profound freedom from the negative side of expectations – the ‘shoulds’ and ‘have tos’ – when they’ve been able to recognize they can want, dream and work toward a goal much more effectively with this subtle shift in awareness.

Ideally, we want to develop the ability to be in the simplicity of setting the direction for our lives and recognizing that multiple factors influence outcomes. This can be accomplished by setting expectations and or aspirations. However, as humans we often get caught up in the striving and miss out on contentment in the process. It’s much easier said than done but the skill can be developed to aspire rather than achieve and rest in the mindfulness of our goals.

Focusing on our aspirations makes us more flexible to respond to the changes that take place because we’re no longer locked into a preconception of how our lives should be.

Being consciously aware of the relationship of our expectations to our aspirations can lead to us approaching life with the clarity of our choices. And this can make a huge difference in how we are experiencing life in the present. A human gifted with the capacity to imagine a future has so many benefits!  Whether it’s planning a tasty meal, looking forward to the results of a project, or anticipating an upcoming vacation, the emotional, mental, and physical gains are real.

Reach out to Kristine Proctor at 386-473-1062 or send her a message now.

Find yourself, and be that.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
EMDR Certified Therapist
112 W. New York Avenue, Suite 205
DeLand, FL 32720