I’ve got to be honest and say, I’ve had a hard time watching the Olympics. It’s painful for me. I can’t stand the pressure these athletes are under. I fear so many of them are under unrealistic expectations. While I’ve heard several similar stories, I just read THIS ARTICLE which illustrates my point. The article states…

Kelly Sotherton’s bronze medal celebrations proved short-lived when she was reduced to tears by her coach. Minutes after claiming Britain’s first athletics medal of the Games, Sotherton, 27, had to endure a dressing down from Charles van Commenee, UK Athletics’ technical director for the heptathlon.

He believed that Sotherton should have won the silver medal behind Carolina Kluft, the Swede who succeeded Britain’s Denise Lewis as the Olympic champion.

Give me a break! She just won a bronze medal in the world Olympics. She’s a champion and we should celebrate with her.

Maybe it bothers me so much because I know this isn’t just a problem with athletes. Maybe it bothers me because I know how destructive this can be in every day life.

Unrealistic expectations can destroy a marriage.

Unrealistic expectations can suck the joy out of your job.

Unrealistic expectations can sever your relationship with your kids.

Unrealistic expectations can burn out your volunteers.

So, where in your life are unrealistic expectations eroding at relational health? Who do you put unrealistic expectations on? Who has unrealistic expectations for you?