We live in a society where our worth is often measured by traditional benchmarks: graduating from college, owning a house, getting married, having children, and getting a stable job.
It feels like these expectations on what we should do with our lives are with us from the day we are born, and what is expected of us to be considered a productive member of society. For many of us, our goals can bring a sense of stability but they can also limit our ability to experience different outcomes that can leave us equally fulfilled than our original plan.
Many of us get so deep into our goals, and what our life is supposed to be like, that we miss out on living, and being open to new experiences. And when things don’t go according to plan, we can easily fall into depression or experience anxiety, because we somehow see this different outcome as a “failure.”
There’s a fine line between determination to reach a goal and the rigidness of perfection or control along the way. When we expect a situation, event, or outcome to unfold an “exact” way, we can actually miss out on the joy of the experience, and unexpected blessings. There is a level of peace that comes with working towards a goal while also being open to all experiences, even if it requires us to adapt or deviate some from the straight line we thought would take us there. Being open can open up to some unforeseen outcomes that are even better than what we had originally planned for ourselves. By being focused and flexible in how you see life, you’re granted with the ability to see all of the positive outcomes from the experience, even when it looks different than you had originally planned.
The more you allow some space and flexibility in your expectations as you move consistently towards your goals, the more that your journey with be enhanced with amazing twists, and your goal sweeter for the process.
To learn how to have realistic expectations and a more rewarding journey as you work towards your goals, contact us about life coaching.
