The Mall

File under Set the Bar Low (and barely exceed the bar)

So what does setting the bar low actually look like? Here is an example of the benefits of reducing expectations. Please forgive the blatant stereotypes.

Scenario #1: It’s Saturday morning and you tell your wife that you can’t go to the mall today with her because you are going to mow the lawn, fix the toilet, and reorganize the garage. She leaves and when she comes back she finds you watching the football game having accomplished exactly what you have said. Although both of you are pleased with your productivity, you’re actions are not entirely notable.

Scenario #2: It’s Saturday morning and you tell your wife that you can’t go to the mall today with her because you are going to reorganize the garage. She leaves and when she comes back she finds you watching the football game having already organized the garage, as well as mowed the lawn, and fixed the toilet. You are so proud of your initiative and hard work that you show her just how well the toilet flushes now with great enthusiasm. Your wife is thrilled with you for being attentive and responsible.

Scenario #3: It’s Saturday morning and you tell your wife that you can’t go to the mall today with her because you are going to mow the lawn, fix the toilet, re-organize the garage, and get the oil changed in the cars. She leaves and when she comes back she finds you watching the football game having done everything but change the oil in the cars. Although you have done a lot, she thinks to herself that you shouldn’t be watching TV because there are things to do. And likewise you feel a sense of guilt about it that sticks around for a long time.

In each scenario you accomplished the same exact tasks, but the perception of your accomplishments was affected by the expectations. Your feelings of happiness and self-worth, as well as your spouse’s perception, was positively affected by your committing to do less. You actually derived more satisfaction out of a consistent level of work, by SAYING LESS!

THAT is ‘setting the bar low’. Not necessarily doing less, just not committing to doing more.

Let me hear how you set the bar low.

Song of the Day
My wife often reminds me that I have said “This is one of my all-time favorite songs” for at least 800 different songs. Exaggeration or not, this one is top 50 easily. In honor of complicating complications, underrated songwriters, and our need to hold on to someone, the song of the day is Sebadoh’s “On Fire.”