The Question That Lightened the Load: What Expectations Are Really Yours?
Every now and then, I come across a question that changes how I think, lead, and live. Recently, I started asking myself one that completely lifted a weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying:
“Am I putting this expectation on myself, or is it coming from someone else?”
It sounds simple. But if you're someone who holds yourself to high standards, juggles big goals, and cares deeply about doing things right, this question hits differently.
The Weight of Invisible Expectations
Many of us are walking around with an invisible backpack full of expectations we never agreed to carry. Deadlines we didn’t commit to. Standards no one explicitly set. Assumptions about how we should show up, perform, or achieve.
And more often than not, those expectations don’t come from other people.
They come from us.
We impose them silently, subtly, over time—without even realizing it. And they build up:
“I should already be further ahead.”
“I can’t rest until everything is perfect.”
“If I slow down, I’ll fall behind.”
Sound familiar?
Why This Question Works
This one question creates space for reflection and clarity. It allows you to pause and ask:
Is someone really asking this of me?
Or am I placing this pressure on myself based on a story I’ve told myself?
That kind of clarity is freeing.
Once you recognize which expectations are internal vs. external, you gain the power to respond rather than react. You start distinguishing between what actually matters and what’s just noise.
You move from operating out of guilt or fear to leading from purpose and peace.
The Permission We Rarely Give Ourselves
Here's the truth: letting go of self-imposed pressure is not weakness.
It’s wisdom.
It doesn’t mean you lower your standards or lose your drive. It means you choose progress over perfection, intention over burnout.
You still show up. You still get after it.
But now, you're doing it from a place of alignment instead of anxiety.
That shift changes everything.
🔥 If you’re tired of carrying invisible weight in your business or life, I help leaders build clarity and momentum by stripping away the noise and getting back to what matters most.
🚨 DM me “UNPACK” and I’ll share a simple framework for letting go of what’s not yours to carry.
