Expect the World. No, Really

Let’s be honest. For most of our lives, we’ve been quietly coached to do the exact opposite.

“Keep your expectations low, and you’ll never be disappointed.” “Be realistic.” “Don’t get your hopes up.”

This advice comes from a good place. It’s a shield, a well-meaning attempt to protect us from the sting of failure and the ache of disappointment. By expecting less, we cushion the potential fall. But in our quest to avoid pain, we have inadvertently built a cage. We’ve set the bar so low that we’ve forgotten how high we can actually jump.

It’s time for a radical shift in perspective. It’s time to expect the world.

This isn’t a call for entitlement. This isn’t about demanding that the universe roll out a red carpet and hand you everything on a silver platter. Expecting the world isn’t about arrogance; it’s about alignment. It’s about raising your personal standard to a level that matches the incredible, vibrant, and boundless potential that life holds.

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” — Michelangelo

What It Really Means to Expect the World

Expecting the world is an active, not a passive, state. It’s a fundamental belief that you are worthy of incredible experiences, deep connections, and meaningful work. It’s the internal engine that drives you to seek, create, and appreciate the extraordinary.

Let’s break it down.

1. Expect it From Yourself First

This is the foundation. Before you can expect anything from the world, you must expect greatness from yourself. Expect yourself to be disciplined. Expect yourself to learn from your mistakes. Expect yourself to be resilient, to get back up after you’re knocked down. Expect yourself to be kind, to act with integrity, and to put in the work.

When you hold yourself to a high standard, you don’t hope for opportunities; you become the kind of person who is ready when they arrive. Your life becomes a reflection of the standards you set for your own character and effort.

2. Expect it in Your Relationships

Settling is the enemy of a brilliant life, especially when it comes to the people you share it with. Expecting the world in your relationships doesn’t mean demanding perfection. It means expecting respect, kindness, reciprocity, and genuine connection.

It means refusing to normalize toxic behaviour. It means believing you are worthy of friends who celebrate your wins, a partner who champions your growth, and a community that supports you. When this is your expectation, you naturally gravitate towards those who meet it and move away from those who diminish you.

3. Expect it From Your Work and Passion

Your career is more than a paycheck; it’s a significant portion of your life. Expect it to be meaningful. Expect to be challenged. Expect to grow and contribute.

Whether you’re an artist, an engineer, a teacher, or an entrepreneur, expecting the world means seeing your work as a vehicle for impact and fulfillment. This mindset pushes you to ask for the promotion, to start the business, to learn the new skill, or to find a new path when the current one leads nowhere. It transforms a job into a calling.

4. Expect it From Life Itself

This is where the magic happens. Start expecting moments of awe and wonder. Expect beauty on your morning walk. Expect a fascinating conversation with a stranger. Expect to discover a new song that moves you to tears.

Life is constantly offering up moments of serendipity and beauty, but we often miss them because we’re not looking. Our “realistic” expectations have trained us to see the mundane, the difficult, and the frustrating. When you start expecting to be surprised and delighted by the world, your focus shifts. You start noticing the vibrant sunset, the kindness of a cashier, the intricate patterns of a leaf. You begin to see the world that has been there all along.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” — Henry Ford

But What About Disappointment?

Ah, yes. The great fear. What happens when you expect the world and the world gives you a flat tire on a rainy Monday?

Here’s the secret: disappointment is not a failure of the philosophy. It’s a course correction. When a situation doesn’t meet your high expectations, it’s not a sign to lower your standards. It’s a sign that this particular job, relationship, or path isn’t the right one for you.

Disappointment becomes data. It’s a powerful signal telling you to pivot, to try a different approach, to walk away and find what is in alignment with the world you expect to create for yourself. The pain is temporary, but the lowered standard is a lifelong sentence.

So, let’s retire the old, tired advice. Stop living a life braced for impact. Stand up straight, look the horizon in the eye, and for once, dare to expect the world.

The world is waiting. It’s time you started acting like it.