Happiness = Reality - Expectations

Look at your reality...what do you see? Now check in on your expectations...how do these match your reality?

It has been said that in order to be happier we need to either - upgrade our reality and/or lower our expectations. When I first heard this my immediate reaction was ‘but if I lower my expectations, I’ll feel like I’ve given up and am settling for mediocre’....there’s truth in that I reckon but here’s what I take from this happiness formula and how i think it applies to me and most of the mums I know:-

1. You don’t have to be perfect or good at everything!  

Work out what’s most important to you. Keep your expectations high on these things but relax your expectations on everything else, i.e., 

* high expectations in terms of client communication, lower expectations in terms of filing and office management. 

* high expectations in terms of personal hygiene, lower expectations in terms of laundry piles and household tidiness 

2. Appreciate what you’ve already got! 

Many of us take for granted the situations we are in and therefore don’t really appreciate our reality. For many of us, it’s common (and maybe habitual) to be striving for something else, something ‘better’. Refocus your energy on being grateful for what you do have and in doing so upgrade your reality, i.e.,

* recognising that your bum, tum or thighs may not be the size you’d prefer, but you’re strong, fit and healthy and can rough-house and keep up with your kids

* recognising that you can’t be at all the kids kindy or school events, but knowing that you’re at the ones which are most meaningful to your child

* recognising that sometimes you might serve cereal at dinner time, but your kids will think it’s a fun treat and they go to bed with a full tummy and feeling happy

Try it! What do you need to tweak to feel happier?