Unrealistic expectations



Brandon Sanderson said, “Expectations are like fine pottery.  The harder you hold them, the more likely they are to crack.”

It’s a suitable metaphor of having unrealistic expectations; ones that are so defined and held so tightly that inevitability a crack appears and we will be disappointed.

Having unrealistic expectations are when we are being too precise about exactly how things should turn out.

It’s unrealistic, we know things change and switch, especially when other people are involved.

The criticism I’ve often heard when it comes to having more realistic expectations of others is:

‘So what do you want me to do… have no expectations… that’s not helpful and doesn’t give me any hope.’

But it’s not an either/or situation.

You can have realistic expectations which takes into account human error and another’s will and have an expectation that is inspiring for yourself and another.

My final thought comes Donald Miller who said, “When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.”

Let’s have the right expectation of others.


About Penny

Penny was born in England, raised in New Zealand, lived in America and settled in Perth, Australia. Together with her husband Mark, she is raising a teenage daughter and has twin twenty-something sons. "Coming home at the end of a solid working day to family and friends is my delight" says Penny, Co-author of the book – She’s Not Your Competition. She is a heart-felt communicator who believes in the power of a person’s story. Penny has over 25 years experience as a high level leader and spokesperson in both the private and non-profit sectors with significant public relations experience. She is currently the CEO of South Coastal Women's Health Services, and prior on the Leadership Teams of Rise Network and Riverview supporting people in areas of mental health, domestic and family violence, and children overseas at risk of exploitation. She holds an MBA and MBL, and is a Board Director for the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. For the past 15 years she has provided pro-bono support as a mentor for leaders and consultant to not for profits. Penny’s personal life endeavour is a determination to "make life better not bitter".