This past year has been the year of magic for me. And, by that I do not mean that the year has been one of grand delight and awe and sugar and spice. For it most definitely has not been. Instead, I am being a bit more literal and perhaps boring. I attended numerous magic shows this past year. More so than I previously ever had.

I was fortunate to attend a show at the world famous magic castle in Los Angeles which is open to members only. I went and was entertained by the extra show that was literally an add-on. Meaning, I wad not as thrilled by the main show. It was what it was. Meanwhile, I attended a fairly good magic show in Vegas. I am always taken in by the mind reading magic shows. I’m curious as to what signs they key in on. I also attended a ho-hum, vegas derivative champions of magic show. For a last minute, sunday afternoon pick it wasn’t terrible. And so and so forth.

Now, despite all my magic show adventures, I don’t have great fondness for them. Magic is all about diverting attention. And I just don’t care for that. Although, the mind reading sessions are cool. Or can be. Now, here’s the thing. Sometimes, some people may think one is a magician in real life. And, I get annoyed that I am then forced to remind them there is no such thing.

What am I talking about?

Expectations.

Some people don’t know how to have realistic expectations. I am not talking about hope. We should always have hope. I love being hopeful and dreaming. However, I also know how to have and set realistic expectations for others. See, realistic expectations can lead and be tied to hope. If you set achievable goals, you can become more hopeful because you’ve had a win. By having unrealistic expectations you run the risk of setting people up for failure. And not the good failure-you know the ones you can learn and recover from. And setting people up for failure kills off hope.

I’m no magician who can pull 12 doves from a top hat. And, I don’t ever wish to be a hope killer. I think it’s something we should all try to avoid. Be real. Allow for wins to happen. Grow hope and thereby raise the bar one step at a time.