“I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine.” – Fritz Perls, Born Jul. 8, 1893.
Sorry, Fritz.
I have to disagree, at least in part, only because I don't feel an obligation to be equitable.
I am with you on the first part – the only expectations I feel obligated to meet are my own. In some ways, I demand more than others would. In some ways I am more lax.
But the point is, I know what I want to be, and what I want to do, and I set about accomplishing that the way I choose to.
The expectations of others will not take me off that path.
But when it comes to the world – I definitely have expectations about how things should be.
That's the business person in me. That's the entrepreneur in me. The world is not OK the way it is, or I wouldn't spend all this time and effort trying to change it.
And not just changing the world, but the people in it. I want to make people more like myself.
Smart. Curious. Autodidactic. Idiosyncratic. Interesting.
When I find things that are the opposite of that, I oppose them. I argue with them. I challenge them in order to change them.
Does it work?
No. Not always. Ultimately, I'm just throwing words around, and that isn't as impactful as one would hope. Words can sell people, but they seldom change minds.
But I do it anyway, because I have to.
I'm right. The world is wrong.
Isn't that how everyone feels?
Can't you use that to persuade and influence others?
Sure you can – just acknowledge it and agree with them. Verify what they've observed to be true. Validate the way the feel about it. Commiserate. At least temporarily. That's how you get your foot in the door.
Once you're in, rearrange the furniture without asking.
The problem, for me, in being myself is that I end up losing the plot. I become this 'wildcard' that's in total disregard of the rules, or even ignorant of the environment I'm in. I get that it's just me reacting to the creative side of me, but it ends up taking over. I may be pleased with the outcome when in reality, it isn't what is required from me.