Want. Need. Expectation. Goal.

“What the mind can conceive, man can achieve.” -- Walt Disney

Want. Need, Expectation. Goal.
The dynamics and partnership of these four simple human traits are more complicated than you might imagine.

In the realm of conflict resolution, relationships, personal growth and everyday living, the embracing of these notions can create a myriad of far-reaching results - not all of them desirable.

The idea of want can be examined from many perspectives. In secular societies want might be considered similar to the emotion desire, which can be studied scientifically through the disciplines of psychology or sociology.
Want might also be examined in economics as a necessary ingredient in sustaining and perpetuating capitalist societies that are organised around principles like consumerism.
Alternatively want can be studied in a non-secular, spiritual, moralistic or religious way, particularly by Buddhism but also Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

A need is a thing that is necessary for an organism to live a healthy life. Needs are distinguished from wants in that, in the case of a need, a deficiency causes a clear adverse outcome: a dysfunction or death.
Needs can be objective and physical, such as the need for food, or subjective and psychological, such as the need for self-esteem.
There are also needs of a social or societal nature.
Needs and wants are a matter form a common substrate for the fields of philosophy, biology, psychology, social science and politics. In everyday application, people sometimes confuse the two whether purposefully or out of naivety.

In the case of uncertainty, expectation is what is considered the most likely to happen. An expectation, which is a belief that is centered on the future, may or may not be realistic. A less advantageous result gives rise to the emotion of disappointment. If something happens that is not at all expected, it is a surprise.
An expectation about the behavior or performance of another person, expressed to that person, may have the nature of a strong request, or an order.

A goal is a desired result that a person or a system envisions, plans and commits to achieve: a personal or organizational desired end-point in some sort of assumed development. Many people endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines.

It is roughly similar to purpose or aim, the anticipated result which guides reaction, or an end, which is an object, either a physical object or an abstract object, that has intrinsic value.

A basic human claim can be defined as either of these depending largely on the emotions, perspective, history and desire of the individual. What is taken as a need, may be simple a misdirected want. A goal may be transformed into an expectation. Within a relationship, a want may be pure or rooted in utter selfishness. A deeply-held and rational expectation may be perceived as unreasonable and unfair to a second person. The level of maturity of an individual can richly bias the perception of all four.

Our needs are the most honest of the four. Expectations are the most deceiving. Relating a need can leave one vulnerable. It can turn a simple situation into a powderkeg of fear. It may be judged or defended. Criticised or honoured. It can be understood or feared. It reaches deeper than the other three without a doubt.

All of these entities can be experienced both internally or exhibited in shameless public display. They are either shared or kept hidden. They are ever present and cannot be denied - no matter how hard we try.

Wants and needs can define us or destroy us. They may change with rapid frequency or be lightly discarded without a moment's notice. What we want may not be what is best for us. What we need may not be known to us. Others may even have a clearer insight into what we actually need and want. These premises demand wisdom, insight and judgement. Left to their own devices they may lead us to victory, life or death. We may be addicted to our wants and negligent of our needs. We may be deeply aware of our needs and deny ourselves our wants. Discerning between the two can be a sign of our depth of character and self-awareness.

Expectations can raise up those whom we hold dear, or cut them down with unrealistic force. We may have deep rooted expectations based on how we were brought up or the environment in which we were nurtured (or the lack of nurturing).
They can be transferred onto others or held as a source of frustration and disappointment. They may be noble or unrealistic. Prudent or unfair. Altruistic or with deep and hidden agendas. They may be self-sacrificing or used as weapons.

Goals can lead us to success which may, at the end of the day be hollow and empty. Goals can be clearly defined or stumbled upon. Reaching them may be an impossibility or a measure of our worth. The may be proof of our success or reminders of our failure. Goals can be excuses to avoid facing our true selves. Goals can make you reach heights not yet known or lock you in on the journey of ascendency. They are your friend and your warden. They can also be something in between.

These are my reflections.

The discussion is open-ended.

ref: Wikipedia - yes, I know what you're thinking, not the best source of wisdom and definitive knowledge - but there it is!