Success at work or relationships ... same key to both

I've learnt just one thing in the 2 years I've been working.

To be successful at work, you must impress the boss.
And to impress the boss you must deliver above expectations.

One may logically conclude that one will have to work hard/work smart/ be street smart (or whatever fancy term is going around now-a-days) to impress the boss.

But, it's not really that difficult.

Just remember to:
1. Lower Expectations:
You're whole life must be centred on Lowering Expectations! It's the most important thing one can ever do. Not only on the job. It's the key to sucess in almost every relationship, including marriage!

Your performance is purely a matter of how the Boss perceives your work to be. You may perform as well or as bad as everyone else, but he will perceive someone has done well, while someone else hasn't. All because he has different expectations from different people. So, if your Boss has high expectations from you, ... You, my friend are screwed! :) You're constantly gonna have to deliver better stuff than others ... and not expect any compliments ... coz' that kind of work has always been expected from you! And if you deliver 'average' stuff, the Boss will think you are getting complacent. And that's even worse!

So, always maintain a low profile. Do your work better than the average co-worker. But, don't do it spectacularly well at the beginning itself. If the Boss spots that, you'll be branded with overexpectation for the rest of your career. Keep the Boss happy by doing work better than others, and keep raising the bar gradually... that way, as the Boss raises his expectations, you too are able to raise your performance accordingly!

The same applies to relationships, including Marriage. Keep the expectations of the wife so low, that she is pleasantly surprised everytime you do something thoughtful. TIP. Do something thoughtful every other week ... or else you're in trouble... :) I often share a joke with close friends ... Love your wife a lot. Tell her that. Show her that through your actions. But still keep her expectations so low, that she's happy to even receive the stem of a rose from you on Valentine's Day ... lolz :)

2. Underpromise. Then Over-deliver:
You are asked to do something. You estimate it will take 1 week. Come up with complex calculations involving many variables and assumptions and tell your Boss, your optimistic estimate of 3 weeks. Make sure you come to the office before your Boss comes in and leave only after the Boss leaves. (Yes, make it a point to greet the Boss daily, and provide updates on how you are tackling unforseen difficulties ... and how you will ensure delivery on time...) Then deliver a superb product in 2 and a half weeks. Won't the Boss be impressed?

Similarly, on a weekend, tell your wife that you will repair that leaky faucet/mow the lawn/other jobs around the house next weekend (with a plausible excuse not to get to it today)... then do it today (drawing attention to the fact that you could've been out there saving the world, but are repairing that leaky faucet that pestered your wife, ... just because you Love Her so much ... aww ...) Won't this Boss be impressed too?

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All the above was just fun, guys ... it may have an element of truth that I wanted you to think about ... nothing else ... don't take me too seriously ...( i doubt you'll do) ... :)