Life is all about the relationship between reality and expectations. this presentations takes you through that relationship.

1. Surprise!
Lowenfield Alleyne

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Thank You