THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS in our lives are often the result of misplaced expectations. This is especially true when it comes to our relationships and interactions with others.

Tempering your expectations of other people will greatly reduce unnecessary frustration and suffering, in both your life and theirs, and will help you refocus on the things that truly matter.

1. Stop expecting them to agree with you.

   You deserve to be happy. You deserve to live a life you are excited about. Don’t let the opinions of others make you forget that. You are not in this world to live up to the expectations of others, nor should you feel that others are here to live up to yours. In fact, the more you approve of your own decisions in life, the less approval you need from everyone else.

   You have to dare to be yourself and follow you own intuition, however frightening or strange that may feel or prove to be. Don’t compare yourself with others. Don’t get discouraged by their progress or success. Follow your own path and stay true to your own purpose. Success is ultimately about spending your life happily in your own way.

2. Stop expecting them to respect you more than you respect yourself.

   True strength is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles. It’s about having faith and trust in who you are, and a willingness to act upon it. Decide this minute to never again beg anyone for the love, respect, and attention that you should be showing yourself.

   Today, look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I love you, and from now on I’m going to act like it.” It’s important to be nice to others, but it’s even more important to be nice to yourself. When you practice self-love and self-respect, you give yourself the opportunity to be happy. When you are happy, you become a better friend, a better family member, and a better you.

3. Stop expecting (and needing) them to like you.

   You might feel unwanted and unworthy to one person, but you are priceless to another. Don’t ever forget your worth. Spend time with those who value you. No matter how good you are to people, there will always be one negative person who criticizes you. Smile, ignore them, and carry on.

   In this crazy world that’s trying to make you the same as everyone else, the toughest battle you’ll ever have to fight is the battle to be yourself. And as you’re fighting back, not everyone will like you. Sometimes people will call you names because you’re “different.” But that’s perfectly okay. The things that make you different are the things that make you, you, and the right people will love you for it.

4. Stop expecting them to fit your idea of who they are.

   Loving and respecting others means allowing them to be themselves. When you stop expecting people to be a certain way, you can begin to appreciate them.

   Pay close attention, and respect people for who they are and not for who you want them to be. We don’t

   know most people half as well as we believe we do; and truly knowing someone is a big part of what makes them wonderful. Every human being is remarkable and beautiful; it just takes a patient set of eyes to see it. The more you get to know someone, the more you will be able to look beyond their appearance and see the beauty of who they truly are.

5. Stop expecting them to know what you’re thinking.

   People can’t read minds. They will never know how you feel unless you tell them. Your boss? Yeah, he doesn’t know you’re hoping for a promotion, because you haven’t told him yet. That cute guy you haven’t talked to because you’re too shy? Yeah, you guessed it—he hasn’t given you the time of day simply because you haven’t given him the time of day either.

   In life, you have to communicate with others regularly and effectively. And often, you have to open your vocal cords and speak the first words. You have to tell people what you’re thinking. It’s as simple as that.

6. Stop expecting them to suddenly change.

   You can’t change people and you shouldn’t try. Either you accept who they are or you choose to live without them. It might sound harsh, but it’s not. When you try to change people, they often remain the same, but when you don’t try to change them—when you support them and allow them the freedom to be as they are—they gradually change in the most beautiful way. Because what really changes is the way you see them.

7. Stop expecting them to be okay.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle, just like you are. Every smile or sign of strength hides an inner struggle every bit as complex and extraordinary as your own.

Remember that embracing your light doesn’t mean ignoring your dark. We are measured by our ability to overcome adversities and insecurities, not by avoiding them. Supporting, sharing, and making contributions to other people is one of life’s greatest rewards. This happens naturally if we allow it, because we all share very similar dreams, needs, and struggles. As mentioned earlier in this book, once we accept this, the world then is a place where we can look someone else in the eye and say, “I’m lost and struggling at the moment,” and they can nod and say, “Me too,” and that’s okay. Because not being okay all the time is perfectly okay.

Afterthoughts

People rarely behave exactly the way you want them to. Again, hope for the best, but expect less. And remember, the magnitude of your happiness will be directly proportional to your thoughts and how you choose to think about things. Even if a situation or relationship doesn’t work out, it’s still worth it if it made you feel something new and if it taught you something new.