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I came across this article on expectations and thought it had good information for teaching strategies for our children and students. (Editor's Note)

Expectations
Copyright 2003, Cajun Clark

Let me tell you about expectations. Why? Because they cause more frustration, confusion and misunderstanding than need be. But they do. Here's why: 

When you expect your employees to act in a certain manner, to perform their tasks a certain way, and they don't, maybe it's because you haven't taken the time to train them in the style you're trying to achieve. In other words, maybe you haven't communicated your expectations.

When your spouse doesn't congratulate you on obtaining a new account, and you were counting on his or her approval, maybe you haven't communicated your expectations. When your child doesn't respond or act the way you expect, maybe you haven't communicated your expectations.

By now you should be receiving one clear, important message: When you don't communicate your expectations, you're more than likely going to be disappointed in the response, reaction, you receive. And you know what? When the other person's expectations aren't communicated to you, he or she is going to be disappointed or frustrated or...by your response, or lack thereof.

Does this happen frequently, or is a mountain being made of a molehill? Listen up! It happens all the time, all too frequently, think about it. When you have problems with your employees, misunderstandings with your spouse, are disappointed in your children, 99 times out of a 100 it's because you have failed to communicate your expectations; what you want, what you expect.

And by now, hopefully, you've picked up the key, the operative word: COMMUNICATE. Failure to communicate--wants, needs, or expectations--to vendors, employees, your spouse and children results in more confusion, frustration and turmoil than for any other reason. 

But this doesn't have to be the norm, not if you... 

LEARN TO COMMUNICATE! Read some books, take a class or two, practice listening instead of waiting to talk--you'll benefit, you'll reap the rewards. Hmmm...maybe that's worth thinking about. Better yet, maybe that's worth doing! 

Cajun Clark has written a monster best selling 659-page eCookbook, with 1,160+ recipes: http://www.cajunclarks.com You're welcome to try a sampling of his recipes at no charge as a token of appreciation: http://www.cajunclarks.com/selected_freebies.html Be sure to also check out our eCookbook affiliate program.