Expectations: The Power to Shape Your Life

Published by:

CARVOGROUP

P.O. Box 21002 Charlottetown, PE C1A 9H6 Canada

www.carvogroup.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library and Archives Canada retained a copy of this book.

Copyright © 2024 by CARVO GROUP. 1st edition. The material in this book is intended only for educational purposes. No expressed or implied guarantee of the effects of the use of recommendations can be given or liability taken. The information herein is sold without warranty, either expressed or implied. Neither the author, publisher, nor any dealer or distributor of this book will be held liable for any damages caused either directly or indirectly by the instructions or information contained in this book. You are encouraged to seek professional advice before taking any action mentioned herein.

All rights reserved. No part of this work, including graphics, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Paperback Print Edition: ISBN 978-1-7383857-1-3

PDF eBook Edition: ISBN 978-1-7383857-2-0

This book is dedicated to my home team:

Jeff, Ethan, and Maya

You continue to exceed all my expectations.

FROM THE AUTHOR

As I reflect on the journey that led to the ultimate creation of this book, I am reminded of key moments in my life when met and unmet expectations have left imprints on my mind. Writing this book became a personal exploration into the layers of expectations that I, like so many others, had unknowingly carried.

Expectations are ever-present in our lives. They infiltrate our relationships, careers, and self-perception. Yet, we rarely pause to contemplate their profound influence. Through these pages, you will discover that expectations are not inherently good or bad; our relationship with them defines their impact.

I wrote this book not just to unravel the complexities of expectations but to advocate for a paradigm shift—a shift toward embracing our individuality, celebrating our journeys, and finding contentment in defining personal measures of success. My hope for this book is simple: to spark quiet reflection, allow for meaningful conversations, and offer solace to those entangled in the maze of expectations.

Whereever your path takes you,

may you travel lightly.

-Detry Carragher-

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Unveiling the Power of Expectations

Chapter 2

A Self-Imposed Barometer

Chapter 3

Outside Forces

Chapter 4

Shaped by Events and Trends

Chapter 5

Cultural and Societal Influences

Chapter 6

Searching for Harmony in Conflict

Chapter 7

Impact on Mental Wellbeing

Chapter 8

Attaining Balance

Chapter 9

Inventory of Expectations

Expectations are like mirages in the desert; they warp your perception of reality and leave you thirsting for what may never be.

-Detry Carragher

Prologue

Have you ever considered the effect expectations have had on the trajectory of your life? Since early childhood, you have been stockpiling endless expectations in the warehouse of your mind. You have formed mental imprints of expectations on your psyche throughout life and have learned to adapt to various environmental cues.

Consider for a moment that when you cried, you learned to anticipate that someone would comfort you; when you made silly faces, you noticed people would laugh; and when you disobeyed instructions, you learned there was a pattern of quick reprimand. The culmination of interactions and experiences has made you who you are today.

You learned language through pattern recognition. You also formed expectations about sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary based on the patterns you observed in your environment.

If you grew up in a region where it typically rains during a certain season, you might expect rain during that time of year. This expectation is based on the observed pattern of weather over a period.

If you commute to work, you may have formed expectations about traffic patterns based on your daily experiences. If a road is typically congested during rush hour, you likely expect delays and plan accordingly.

You form expectations about relationships based on patterns of behaviour. If someone consistently shows you kindness and consideration, you might expect these traits to continue, shaping your overall expectations in the relationship.

When you go to your favourite restaurant, you