Have you heard of the BASELINE TRAP?
It is a very interesting concept!
Many of us face this over and over again! Especially if you are someone who likes to help and want to make an impression!
Initially the effect is great but then the weight of expectations will crush you!
So I used to work as a scientific content editor in a company and since it was my first job I used to enthusiastically reach at least fifteen minutes before time! Then my friend Shyam used to tell me, “Sri, do not raise everyone’s expectations!” I did not understand at that time but did so very soon!
One fine day I reached only five minutes earlier! To which my HR associate remarked, “Oh you are late today!!”
That is the baseline trap!
So the baseline trap is a psychological pattern where doing something exceptional once causes people to expect it from you all the time, making your normal effort feel like a failure!
When you give more or work harder, others change their expectations instead of feeling grateful.
Since it is actually routine, you must understand how the trap works!
You go above and beyond for a friend, boss, or family member!
Then you do the same helpful action a second or third time! The issue is that this new FAVOUR or help is the new BASELINE!
People stop seeing it as a nice favor and start seeing it as your normal job!
You get tired, but you cannot stop without people getting upset! Your brain raises the bar faster than you find satisfaction. A big win or a high reward only feels good for a short time before your brain wants more.
You may even try to keep an impossible pace just to keep people happy!
So how do you escape the trap!?
Reduce the expectatios people have about you!
Ask yourself if you can keep doing a task for a whole year without feeling angry or tired. Also you must sometimes stop telling people when you are free and when you are not!
Also let people know that a helpful favor is a one-time choice, not a permanent rule!
In short If you do someone a favour again and again, it becomes your job! The most irritating part is that people feel entitled to RECIEVE a favor from you!
Do not fall into the Baseline trap!
Lower your expectations and you will be happy! Happiness also was watching Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, better known as Cho Ramaswamy act with his characteristic wit and wisdom!
Now start your baseline levels of sleep!
Shubh ratri…
