Surprise!Lowenfield Alleyne

Surprise

• Surprise is the difference between reality and expectations.• Ideally, reality and expectations should be aligned

• Whenever this occurs there is no surprise

• Reality and expectations in the life of individuals are rarely equal• The more acquainted and/or familiar one is with someone else the

narrower the gap between reality and expectation• If reality and expectations are in harmony then one becomes

predictable• Surprise can either be negative or positive; this depends on the

relationship between reality and expectations

Negative Surprise = Disappointment

• As stated earlier whenever there is a difference between reality and expectations, then there is surprise

• If reality falls short of expectations then the surprise is negative• Reality < Expectations = Negative Surprise = Disappointment• One becomes negatively surprised when one has set expectations

too high• The greater the variance, the greater the disappointment• To reduce the gap between reality and expectations, use history• Past events provide one with a guide on what to expect in the

present and future

Positive Surprise

• Whenever there is a difference between reality and expectations, then there is surprise

• If reality exceeds expectations then the surprise is positive

• Reality > Expectations = Positive Surprise

• One becomes positively surprised when one has set expectations too low

• The greater the variance, the greater the surprise

Controlling Expectations

• The degree of your expectations lies solely under your

• However, there are some subconscious activities that will affect your level of expectation

• If expectation is dependent solely on history then this is what I’ll consider as being safe

• To consciously control your expectation, you’ll need to use some history, along with some degree of prediction

Balancing Faith and Fact

• Fact is something that has been proven to be true.• Faith is built on hope that an activity will occur in the future• The more accurately aligned reality is with expectations then the

lower the likelihood of you being surprised• To have your expectations based solely on facts will not

guarantee that reality will match• To have a more accurate prediction of reality, you need some

level of faith• Determining the proportion of faith vs. fact is an exercise that

you have to undertake daily

Influencing Reality

• Life is dynamic and unpredictable; therefore reality will be unpredictable

• Wouldn’t it be great if you could train reality? Couldn’t reality be under your control?

• Reality to some degree can be influenced by you

• Be intentional in your endevavours and have consistency• When you are consistent; others around you will make your reality

consistent with who you are and what you stand for

• Speak your dreams into reality• Words are powerful; once uttered they will not return to you empty. If you

want to influence your reality speak about it until it arrives.

Thank You