On a recent trip to a large retail store, I witnessed an exchange that perplexed me. The cashier was flustered at the customer, who was flustered over the higher prices of food. The exchange was comical if not down right sad. The cashier told the customer that she had a bachelors degree in math and a masters degree in chemistry and was working as a cashier. The customer told the cashier that the three gallons of milk wouldn’t last the week.It was my turn. I smiled at the cashier (for those who know me, know I smile alot) and she began her tirade about how she hated her job. She was literally turning red as she spoke to me about her loathing for what she did. I then asked, why are you here? To this she replied, “I woke up one morning and my husband was disabled. No one would hire me because I have no real life experience. I needed a job just to eat, not lose my home, and the health benefits were a must”. To this I replied, “is it healthy that you obviously dislike and resent what you are doing. Is your health better because you are here? Why not look at teaching on-line so you can stay home and care for your spouse. With a masters in chemistry, you can definitely teach. Best of all, if you still want to work here while you are searching for your job, you can. Who are you networking with who can help you out”?Reference
American Psychological Association. (1999). How expectancies shape experience. Washington, DC.

Response expectancy has the capability for one of those ah-ha moments. More aptly, it is called a paradigm (not twenty cents). In psychology there is a relevance to a theoretical concept called expectancy theory. How expectancies shape experience determines how one automatically (through overt behaviors) or involuntarily (through negative self talk) respond to situations. If you expect that only Walmart will hire you, then Walmart is what you will get. The vicissitudes of life require that you set your goals as high as possible. Never ever give up. And for pete’s sake, if you are not happy with your life, do something positive (POSITIVE) and not destructive, to change your expectancies.

Cheers,

Dr. Judy Halliday