Adjusting Expectations

If there were two words that would describe me for most of my life, they would be productive and efficient. I have a knack for seeing the quickest and clearest path to execution. And I find completing tasks highly intoxicating, so I’ve always been productive.

Except for now.

Now, I almost always have a toddler requesting my attention for something (or many somethings) and a newborn naturally needing to eat or have his diaper changed. I don’t know that I’ve had a season of life where things take so long to accomplish and so many things on my to-do list are only partially completed. And for the past few weeks, this has been weighing heavy on me. I’ve been trying to figure out ways to still be these two things, only to end up annoyed, overwhelmed, and frustrated that I’m only getting further and further from them.

And then it hit me.

This annoyance and frustration is on me. Of course, my toddler needs things, and of course, my newborn cries out from hunger and discomfort. This is on me. I need to adjust my expectations. Nobody is watching me to see if I’m just as productive and efficient as I’ve always been. There is no award awaiting me if I get something done in 5 minutes versus 45.

I could try every day to do things like I used to be able to and continue to be met with annoyance and frustration. Or, I could adjust my expectations, and I could be met with much more peace, joy, and serenity.

Seems like an obvious choice, doesn’t it?

Now, I’m not saying the answer is always to adjust our expectations. It does take two to tango and sometimes the other party needs to know how we are feeling and be held accountable. But, my other parties are simply acting their age and doing very age-appropriate behaviors. So, in this case, it’s on me to adjust my expectations.

If you are finding yourself in reoccurring patterns with undesirable emotions, there is a chance that other people need to be held accountable. But, there’s also a chance that you should adjust your expectations and you may find that much lighter emotions are awaiting you.