About this quote

Expectations handed to others or to circumstances are often just excuses waiting to be used when things go wrong. Ask where you are relying on others instead of taking action—are you waiting, blaming, or doing the work? Stop outsourcing responsibility, tighten your standards, and use that clarity to push forward with the work you can control.

When to use it

• When a coworker misses a deadline, stop blaming them publicly and take the steps you can to keep the project moving.
• If you feel disappointed by a friend's choices, keep your expectations private and decide what boundaries or actions you need instead.
• Before launching a product, assume you alone are responsible for the results—test, improve, and ship rather than hoping others will make it succeed.
• When you want change in your life, stop waiting for someone else to fix it; set a plan and hold yourself accountable to do the hard work.