With week 7 wrapping up, I’d like to take a minute to reflect on something I’ve been mulling over recently. I used to think that the way I went through life was pretty solid. College has been a journey of finding balance with everything from socializing to spending hours in the library. However, this new concept I’ve been thinking about has been so liberating in the sense that I perceive many milestones differently now, and I felt the need to hash it out on writing before I forget about it.
There’s a very negative connotation that goes along with low expectations. It’s associated with failure (which isn’t actually a bad thing), being lazy, or not trying hard. However, I have to completely disagree.
If one can use the powerful tool of having low expectations to their advantage, there are many positive results of doing so.
To start, there’s a difference between expectations and goals. A lot of times, people get them mixed up (I’m guilty of this too). Often, we expect that our goals are fulfilled, and if they aren’t we become heartbroken.
See, that’s where the problem arises. Instead of trying to fulfill each goal with the expectation that things will work out, I invite you to have low expectations, and high goals.
Why do I say this?
If you live life with the expectation that everything will go swell, a lot of times when shit happens you’ll feel really disappointed. Anything below your expected level of achievement stresses you out, and worries you. Attachment to perfection becomes so real, and it becomes hard to live a fulfilling life.
On the other hand, if you live your life with NO or LOW expectations, then everyday becomes a blessing at the very least. Every small feat of beauty wows you, every minuscule achievement brings joy to your life. You’re truly able to live, not exist. Perfection is not the obsession here- everything you do automatically brings you joy.
But then, how does one actually do anything worthwhile if they have low expectations?
Set high goals.
High goals are up there because they’re daunting. People should laugh at your self-challenges because of how insanely ambitious they are, yet at the same time, they should respect you for trying. There are no limits to dreams. We should all hunt for our dreams and yearn for them with a burning passion, but at the same time, we must remember to keep our expectations low.
Doing so truly allows one to work their very best with a clear purpose in mind, without being bogged down by small hiccups or unsuccessful attempts to get better. We can all work as hard as we want to fulfill a goal, but the outcome of our work must not be met with high expectations. It must be met with the opposite, and this is how we can truly enjoy any successes we will go through in life.