LOWERING EXPECTATIONS is supposed to be an antidote against disappointment, and a way to be content. The more modest the goals, the easier to surpass them — that’s the belief. It’s the key to happiness.
The practice of intentionally lowering the expectation of others is also called “sandbagging.” It compels companies, especially those listed in the stock exchange, to give low guidance numbers for future revenues and profits. Sometimes, the numbers they disclose to investors and analysts have already been achieved but are not yet reflected in the financial statements. This allows the companies to then exceed expectations when the actual numbers are reflected, thus being rewarded with a higher price for the stock.
There was a popular OPM song by rapper Andrew E in the ’90s that advocated lowered expectations in romantic relationships. “Humanap ka ng Pangit” advises one not to be too picky and just settle for an ugly (even repulsive) mate in order to be happy. There are less chances of being spurned and having your heart broken if you lower your standards. Anyway, she can be kind and forgiving. The rich DOM fits the bill too.
Have we lowered our expectations when it comes to our country? Maybe brought them too low? Here are some effects of settling for less than we deserve.
We accept the lack of civility in political discourse. The leader, when he pops up for some announcement, deals with criticisms and perceived shortcomings (like failing to feed the hungry) with personal attacks and street-level insults, laced with challenges to brawls… or debates to squeeze away from afterwards. (What if he loses?)
Uncivil and bleeped-for-TV language has become so routine that we have learned to shrug it off and just consider it part of the evening news. Invectives and profane language in public are not to be imitated. These are prerogatives allowed only to the leader. And that’s the official word of the spokesman.
The news on our country being the tail-ender in the region in terms of economic growth (or contraction) and the worst performing in the handling of the pandemic… except maybe for India which is announced with a misplaced sense of complacency.
Even this early, in our selection of the best candidates for next year’s election, we automatically dismiss people who are too bright, too honest, or too respectful of the law as simply “unwinnable” with no appeal to the masses. Thus do we gravitate to the mediocre, but popular, possibilities. This attitude of settling for the least qualified would be laughable in a corporate setting. Would a law firm reject a bar topnotcher because he does not relate well to the filing clerks and messengers?
Absences from the work of inspiring the nation, providing leadership, and charting the way forward? That’s okay. As long as the others do the work. There’s a committee on it. Not showing up for long stretches is an extreme case of working under the mosquito net. Indeed, the job is too stressful.
All these effects of lowered expectations are justified with a shrug — it is what it is. But should it be so? Can we not raise our expectations a bit? Doesn’t our country deserve higher standards and more ambitious goals? Can it not aim higher in its choice of its leaders including for local government and the legislature? Lowered expectations have not served the country well.
The election process has already started. Yes, a year before the actual polling. We need to do our part in voter education, advocacy of the right candidates, and being active participants in the country’s recovery efforts. People Power was not just a celebration of a single historical event. It was an example of active citizenship at work through many months leading to an election, and the people in the streets asserting the choices they made.
Ordinary people are being called to be part of a country raising its own expectations. We can no longer settle for the ugly and the mediocre. We need to raise the bar. No more settling for consolation prizes, like Miss Congeniality. Let’s go for the crown. We’ve done it before. We can do it again.
Raising expectations will make us work harder to achieve more ambitious goals. Disappointment is a small price to pay if we fall short. The country is worth the effort.
Tony Samson is Chairman and CEO of TOUCH xda
