There is a favorite story of mine, maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s the story of Fenrir from Norse mythology. I wouldn’t say that it’s my favorite story for the story itself. It’s more so my favorite because of the lesson it implies (at least to me).

(This is my personal retelling of the story. If you’re interested in the tale I suggest you google it and do some reading!)

As it begins, Fenrir is born to Loki, the trickster god, and Angerboda, a giantess.* Upon his birth it is prophesized that Fenrir will bring about the end of days — Ragnarok. Fearing this outcome from the time Fenrir was a pup, Odin and the other gods sent for him. Fenrir lived peacefully among the gods for a time. Though he was mischievous, he caused no real trouble.

The gods soon noticed he was growing at an alarming rate. They spent time trying to devise ways to bind Fenrir. Using chains made of stronger and stronger material, the gods would challenge Fenrir to show his strength by breaking free of the chains.

Finally, they made a chain called Gleipnir forged from the sound of a cat’s foot fall, the roots of a mountain, and various other unobtainable elements. In the story, the gods end up successfully binding Fenrir… where he remains until the end of days (Ragnarok).

This version is very much shortened. Fenrir had lived among the gods peacefully for a time, but they had always feared him. They acted only with the prophecy in mind and bound him. By doing so, they ensured the ensuing madness of Fenrir.

I like to think about this in life. To be aware of how our expectations can lead us to outcomes. In us, it’s called The Pygmalion Effect in a positive sense, and The Golem Effect in a negative sense. The idea is that if you expect highly of someone (Pygmalion Effect) they are more likely to raise up to those expectations. If you expect lowly of someone (Golem Effect) they are likely to lower themselves in order to meet your expectations. Do you believe the gods could have changed their expectations of Fenrir?

Once you hold a belief either of someone or of the certainty of an outcome, you will subconsciously act in ways to make your belief a reality. That’s why in teachers and coaches it is especially important to be aware of what you think about someone. It can also apply to relationships — with others but also very importantly, with ourselves.

What do you really think of yourself? How are you managing your own expectations?

How about your expectations of those around you?

Tools like this are useful! I suggest you look more into it if you’re interested, because there is a negative side. If you set your expectations somewhere not possible for a person to attain then it may be demoralizing or very taxing on them.

I hope you’ve been well. Thank you for reading.

Stay warm.

dc

Expectations.

Obsession.

Our greatest honor.