Week #337 – Lower Your Expectations (Stick with me…it’s not what you think!)

Greetings Tribe – and Happy Friday!!!

This idea has been on my heart all week…and I know it sounds a little controversial but stick with me, because it’s not what you think!

I had a dentist appointment recently in the middle of this pandemic. Los Angeles is still largely shut down and while things are opening…they are opening very slowly and with great caution.

My dentist is no different. As front line workers they’ve remained open. But there are new procedures in effect. New policies. New restrictions. New precautions.

You know what’s not new?

His level of service.

In fact, I would argue that with the stricter policies came an even HIGHER degree of service than normal. Given all the precautions, they took the time to turn UP their service and professionalism (not dial it back).

Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Over and over again, we’ve all heard the familiar disclaimer while we wait on hold, stand in line, or face delays with things that weren’t a problem just a year ago:

“Due to Covid…”

Yes, due to Covid. Things may take longer, they may be more complicated, they may be slower or more deliberate. I work in service, so I know. We’ve had to jump through a lot of hoops to get things open and running, balancing the need for safe AND speedy.

You know what hasn’t changed? The need for accuracy and professionalism.

This pandemic has tested us, it’s strained us, it has pushed some of us to our limits and beyond…but it shouldn’t compromise us. We can lower our expectations, while maintaining (or even raising) our standards…with ourselves, with each other, and with the people around us.

Let’s not let circumstances be an excuse for bad behavior (this goes for me, too!). When the going gets tough…when the world tells us to lower our expectations, it might be a good time to raise the bar!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Lower your expectations (but raise your standards!) Whatever challenges life throws at us…whether they be personal problems, public problems, even a global pandemic…take a moment to draw the distinction between expectations and standards. Expectations are messy…they are the things the world, our jobs, or maybe even our relationships set for us (spoken or unspoken). Your standards are ones you set for yourself…your boundaries, your limits, your ability to perform, to follow through, to be professional, or to exceed!

Spread Happyness – Raise the bar (for yourself and those around you)!

2/26/21 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com