Let us begin with defining what expectations actually are. An expectation is a preconceived idealistic principle; it’s the desired outcome of an event.
Without expectations, we cannot suffer disappointment. If we have no hopes or desire surrounding an aspect of an event, then we cannot be disappointed by the outcome, because we did not anticipate any particular endpoint. The moment we consciously begin to theorise about the development of a situation, or the potential outcome of an event, we expose ourselves to the possibility of disappointment.
Often we will find that it is unavoidable to ascribe particular preconceptions to an event; for instance, if your birthday is approaching then it’s a relatively sound bet that on some level you expect acknowledgement of this occasion, whether it’s verbal, written or in the form of a gift. If our birthdays passed silently and unacknowledged we would likely experience disappointment because we have expectations about the outcome of the event. Expectations are a curse, and a hindrance.
We are hostages to our expectations, and the expectations of others. It is fairly common that we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations merely because we feel obliged to cater to another persons expectations, or societal pressure. We uphold this naive belief that it is our duty to honour tradition, or a false sense of loyalty by moving outside of our comfort zone at the request of those we care about, or to present ourselves in the public eye as martyrs for a cause.
I am confident when I say that the majority of people also fall victim to their own expectations, or the expectations that they have invoked in others; that is, they set a precedent for themselves in the form of a goal and regardless of their dwindling passion as time progresses, they relentlessly pursue it in a bid to attain the sense of accomplishment they sought initially, or the acceptance or praise they originally anticipated from others.
I can speak from experience with situations such as University; in all honesty by the second year I had lost interest, and yet I forced myself to see it through purely because my actions had resulted in a weight of expectation. What would people think if I quit? Would I regret not finishing what I’d started? Ultimately I finished with a 2.1 degree, but the sense of satisfaction I had yearned for (and expected) at the outset was replaced simply with a sense of closure and relief… and disappointment because I did not obtain the satisfaction I expected.
Accomplishment for the sake of accomplishment is void of purpose; it is more beneficial to redirect your efforts, than waste them on a passionless venture. If you find that your current situation and expectations are maligned, then I implore you to be courageous enough to admit that your ambitions have evolved, and that your desires have matured; no matter what others think, quitting is always the best choice when you have lost interest in a venture, or aspect of your life.
The failures aren’t the ones who quit with a valid reason, the failures are the ones who waste their lives, and sacrifice their contentment for the foolish notion of expectations.
Expect less, appreciate more.
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Without expectations, we cannot suffer disappointment. If we have no hopes or desire surrounding an aspect of an event, then we cannot be disappointed by the outcome, because we did not anticipate any particular endpoint. The moment we consciously begin to theorise about the development of a situation, or the potential outcome of an event, we expose ourselves to the possibility of disappointment.
Often we will find that it is unavoidable to ascribe particular preconceptions to an event; for instance, if your birthday is approaching then it’s a relatively sound bet that on some level you expect acknowledgement of this occasion, whether it’s verbal, written or in the form of a gift. If our birthdays passed silently and unacknowledged we would likely experience disappointment because we have expectations about the outcome of the event. Expectations are a curse, and a hindrance.
We are hostages to our expectations, and the expectations of others. It is fairly common that we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations merely because we feel obliged to cater to another persons expectations, or societal pressure. We uphold this naive belief that it is our duty to honour tradition, or a false sense of loyalty by moving outside of our comfort zone at the request of those we care about, or to present ourselves in the public eye as martyrs for a cause.
I am confident when I say that the majority of people also fall victim to their own expectations, or the expectations that they have invoked in others; that is, they set a precedent for themselves in the form of a goal and regardless of their dwindling passion as time progresses, they relentlessly pursue it in a bid to attain the sense of accomplishment they sought initially, or the acceptance or praise they originally anticipated from others.
I can speak from experience with situations such as University; in all honesty by the second year I had lost interest, and yet I forced myself to see it through purely because my actions had resulted in a weight of expectation. What would people think if I quit? Would I regret not finishing what I’d started? Ultimately I finished with a 2.1 degree, but the sense of satisfaction I had yearned for (and expected) at the outset was replaced simply with a sense of closure and relief… and disappointment because I did not obtain the satisfaction I expected.
Accomplishment for the sake of accomplishment is void of purpose; it is more beneficial to redirect your efforts, than waste them on a passionless venture. If you find that your current situation and expectations are maligned, then I implore you to be courageous enough to admit that your ambitions have evolved, and that your desires have matured; no matter what others think, quitting is always the best choice when you have lost interest in a venture, or aspect of your life.
The failures aren’t the ones who quit with a valid reason, the failures are the ones who waste their lives, and sacrifice their contentment for the foolish notion of expectations.
Expect less, appreciate more.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with your friends on social networks using the buttons below, and please leave a comment with your thoughts;
I love hearing from my subscribers!
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