When was the last time you looked forward to something special happening in your life, an event that filled you with feelings of great excitement and anticipation? Could that exact same event also bring about feelings of apprehension and fear? Possibly.
Could it also be that while you are giddy with excitement about an upcoming event, that very same event could fill your partner or another family member with dread? Very possibly. People experience events very differently.
Also, sometimes the things you anticipate with excitement don’t turn out as you expected, just as some of the events you dread can turn out to be enjoyable. It is about living life with an open mind and being able to pivot when necessary.
Anticipation about an experience is a journey. For example, a wedding, a birth, college graduation, the holidays, a once in a lifetime trip will generally be more intense than the anticipation of buying something materialistic, for example, a house or a car.
It is possible the anticipation of an event will take on more importance in your life than the reality of the event itself!
Anticipation
Anticipation is an important source of happiness and contentment. Having something to look forward to will bring about feelings of excitement and joy. The future seems bright when there is something to look forward to! No matter the circumstances, an exciting upcoming event can bring about hours of positive eagerness and motivation.
If your exciting event is a wedding or the upcoming birth of a baby, you will likely ask for advice and input from others who have had similar experiences. You will want them to share in your excitement and anticipation!
For some, elections bring about anticipation. If you are excited about politics and elections, you will likely pour through news stories and talk with family and friends about their ideas of political candidates. There may be watching debates or going door-to-door to talk about the virtues of your candidate. As the anticipation of the election builds, there may even be plans for attending an election night party!
If your big event is an African safari, part of the exhilaration includes all of the exciting “what ifs” of the adventure, what will you see, what kind of foods will you eat, what would it be like to see an elephant up close? It will be about all of your expectations of a positive experience. You will spend hours pouring over tour books. You will spend hours talking with family, friends and co-workers about your upcoming trip. That is the anticipation.
Stages of an Event
- Identification
The first stage is deciding what it is you want to do. What is your big event? What will your big adventure be? What would be exciting for you to do? Is it time to think about having a baby? Should you go to college? What age should you retire? - Anticipation
Anticipation happens after you identify the event or adventure. This is the build-up. It is what you are looking forward to. This time period can be minutes to years. It could be an impromptu holiday shopping trip this afternoon to reading about the location you are going to on your bucket list trip. It is saying, “Think about all the enjoyment we are going to have!” - Savor
Savor the event. Enjoy your moment. Today is about enjoying the experience. Savor all the sights, sounds and smells of your adventure! Live life to its fullest! Keep a diary of all the excitement! As surprising as it sounds, for some the event is never quite as good as the anticipatory planning. - Reflection
Reflection is looking back on the event. This is time to look at the pictures, talk with family and friends about the experience. While everything is fresh in your mind, you might want to write down your thoughts and feelings of the event. Maybe make a book of all of the events leading up to your event and the event itself. - Reorientation
Been there, seen it, done it, bought the t-shirt! Reorientation is about refocusing back into the routine of life. Now is the time of circling back to the first stage of Identification to start planning your next adventure, your next great event!
Ways Anticipation is Demonstrated
When you are anticipating a big event, there are many methods you may use:
- Counting the days
Sometimes counting down the days to an event can make the event even more exciting, for example, 3 months to the birth of your baby or one more semester to graduation or 362 days to retirement. - Side adventures
There is anticipation about the big main event, but maybe smaller parts can give you pleasure as well. Maybe buying baby clothes or furniture in anticipation of the birth of a baby can help build excitement. - Reading
Reading up on your big event may help build some excitement. If your event is a trip, build anticipation by reading guidebooks. Going on an African safari? Read travel guides about Africa. - Talking with family and friends
Part of anticipation is sharing with friends, family and co-workers about this upcoming experience! As you are planning your adventure, chances are good they will have about as much information about the trip as you do!
Conflict
Sometimes there is a difference of opinion or conflict between two people about an upcoming event. Maybe you are very excited about your upcoming retirement, but your partner has some real concerns about the change in income, being together 24/7 or the change in routine.
- Honest discussion
Having an open, honest discussion will be important during the anticipation phase. - What ifs
With the anticipation phase it is common to have some “what ifs”. Being able to share concerns and not just the excitement will help decrease anxiety. - Common ground
Strive to identify common ground, the end goal. Perhaps two people are very excited about buying a new house. Frequently the financial fears can outweigh the positive anticipation. Focus on the fact you both want a house.
Take Away Point
Anticipation is a process. If you are looking forward to something, an event, savor the journey as well as the event.
Quotes about anticipation:
“Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.”
Ciatum.org ― Khaled Hosseini (1965- ), A Thousand Splendid Suns
“The pleasure isn’t in doing the thing, the pleasure is in planning it.”
Good Reads.com ― John Green (1977- ), Paper Towns
With warmest regards,
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