How do I manage others’ expectations?
Sometimes, living up to someone else’s expectations can be harmful. It can make you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and disappointed.
You start with good intentions, trying hard to make everyone happy. So hard that you forget who you are. To be true to yourself, you have to set up boundaries. You have to learn to reject the things that don’t serve the greater good of your life.
This guide will teach you how to manage others’ expectations without harming your mental health.
6 Tips to manage others’ expectations
1. Cultivate Your Voice and Truth
You must figure out who you are and what makes you happy. You can do that by journaling, meditating, or talking to a therapist. Once you know yourself better, it will be easier for you to stay true to yourself- even when others press you to do things you don’t want to.
When you have your voice and truth, it becomes easier to let go of the things that don’t serve you.
2. Set Boundaries
It’s also important to set boundaries with the people in your life. Include your family, friends, and colleagues in your limitations.
Boundaries are necessary to protect yourself from harm. For example, you may need to set a limit and say “no” to events or activities where you might find yourself in a compromising situation.
Other ways of setting boundaries can be:
- Having “no phone” time during dinner
- Establishing rules about how much work you can do on the weekends
- Saying no to requests that are not reasonable or will put too much stress on you
3. Live Your Life, Not Someone Else’s
As cliché as it sounds, you need to live your life and not someone else’s. This means that you should pursue your dreams, goals, and plans.
It can be hard to manage expectations when you’re living somebody else’s life because you’re not in control. You won’t please everyone, and that’s okay!
4. Take Only What You Can Handle
Do not overextend yourself. This is because you will only end up stressed and overwhelmed.
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, it’s best to say no to extra commitments. That way, you’ll have space to recharge.
5. Take a Step Back
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the expectations of others, it’s ok to take a step back. This could mean taking a break from work, school, or relationships.
During this time, you can focus on taking care of yourself. Maybe get some counselling, go for walks in nature or read books that inspire and motivate you.
The important thing is that you don’t ignore your feelings. When you take the time to heal, you’ll be in a better place to manage the expectations of others.
6. Talk to the Person Who is Putting Pressure on You
If all of this seems like much work, you can always talk to the person who is putting the pressure on you. Often, they don’t realize the effect they’re having on you.
By talking to them, you can help them understand your situation and develop a plan that works for both of you.
Live Your Life!
Managing others’ expectations doesn’t have to be complicated. With these tips, you’ll do it healthily and not harm your mental health. You’re worth it!
By Heidi Ramos
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