A big chunk of every job is managing expectations.

Of course, we want to say yes to everything. We want all the new customers and partners. We want to be perceived as competent, fast, and infallible. We want others to think that we do our work with ease even though our work is complex and uncertain. We want to project an aura of competence and confidence in any situation.

But if we do not manage expectations realistically, we will soon drown and take all those around us – colleagues, friends, family – with us.

The price is just too high.