Great Expectations

It's not often you hear great philosophical ideas while listening to a pre-game show on the radio, but there it was yesterday morning as I drove home to catch the start of the basketball smorgasbord otherwise known as Day Two of the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

The idea was how expectations change our picture of success.

Maybe it was the clear blue sky that delivered the deeper meaning in what John Thompson Sr was talking about... but it made complete sense.

Just like in the NCAA tourney, where teams like Duke and Kentucky are considered to have failed if they don't win championships, we can do that to ourselves, our co-workers, and our families.  Making the 'Big Dance' isn't a success for teams like Duke anymore.  With 12 straight trips, it's considered more of a birthright than a cap on a great season, even here for the Badgers.  (Trust me, if you can remember before Dick Bennett came on the scene, just earning a tournament bid was a major victory at that time.)

It can happen easily, we know our kids can achieve great things, so that hard work put in to earn a 'B' or lock in a job after a long search doesn't seem like the Gold Letter Day anymore when we had them pegged for a higher place on the platform.  Thinking about that - there aren't many places other than the Olympics or a State Championship where those who finish second or third are heralded and praised.

Look past the great expectations for your team and your friends, and see their reality, their hard work, their determination.  There are times more, much more, might be anticipated... but there is also a time to slap them on the back and thank them for a job well done.  We place expectations easily on our teams that we thought would at least make the regional final... and forget they are college kids trying their best while also juggling classes and projects.

You might try doing the same around the house next time.  Offer a thank you for the work done around the house by a spouse instead of offering a critique on the numerous ways it doesn't measure up.  Your family will thank you.  Notice the colleague showing up and getting work done, when there are pressing issues or concerns at home, and offer a soft word of praise for their diligent work ethic.

We will still suffer from Great Expectations for many of those around us, but try to quickly put aside the gut-ripping loss by your favorite college hoops team, and look at the accomplishment of another fine season (now taken for granted by the faithful) as they overcame adversity throughout the year and again represented the school, the state, and their fans so well again this year.