Awareness
“Expectation is the mother of all frustration.”
– Antonio Banderas
We experience misalignment when our expectations do not match real-time conditions. The biproducts of misalignment—frustration, disappointment, self-doubt, dissatisfaction—cause productivity lapses, interpersonal friction, and burnout. And yet, we are often unaware when we are misaligned. Choosing awareness creates opportunities to design strategies that support better outcomes and greater overall satisfaction. So how do we get there? You might start by asking yourself:
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How can I be true to my values?
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What are my expectations?
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What stories am I telling myself that create momentum? ...roadblocks?
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Are my goals my own or influenced by other people?
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What creates a sense of forward momentum?
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What am I learning that will help me in the future?
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How do I relate to others?
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Which working partnerships are best for me?
If frustration, fear and doubt were no longer holding you back, what actions would you take to move closer to your dreams? Imagine you have all the confidence and self-belief needed to succeed. How would this impact your decisions and actions? As you consider these questions, spend some time reviewing the linked resources below. You might find tools/thought exercises/questions that support your effort to cultivate awareness! You will find a few additional articles on frustration, anger, and other distractors as well.
MindTools:
Positive Psychology.com:
Harvard Business Review:
Harvard Business Review:
Medium:
Very Well Mind:
Very Well Mind: