Setting the bar...

Living up to someone else's standards is probably one of the biggest mistakes we can make throughout our lives... and the same would apply to when we expect others to live up to our standards.
When we try to live up to someone else's standards, it's as though we are constantly chasing something that seems endless.  We chase and chase and chase and we become exausted!  The reason for this is because we are not going after what brings us happiness.  We are going after what makes other people happy so the enthusiasm of a positive end result, or the sense of purpose/achievement is never really fullfilled... because they are not our dreams... they're someone else's. 
I suppose what is most important is to firstly figure out what it is we dream for...for ourselves!!  Perhaps we find ourselves living or trying to live up to other peoples standards because we don't set standards of our own.  If we did, and if we were true to OUR dreams, our happiness, than perhaps we wouldn't feel lost or forever chasing because we'd be setting the bar for ourselves, going after what we love and the rest would take care of itself.

I do believe, on occassion, when other people transmit what they expect from us, we shouldn't take it as a bad thing...they are trying to look out for us because they love us but also because they believe in us.  It's when people don't encourage you to do better that you can worry they may have given up on you.

Believe in yourself but also set your own standards and don't be afraid to go after them. Set the bar on what it is you want of your life and move forward...  Believe you can do it and know you can do it...  Because you can!