BEGIN WITH WILD EXPECTATIONS
… and never ever quit
Monday July 14, 2014
I didn’t start with wild expectations, but yet I’ve had wildly exciting expectations nonetheless.
Still do.
Nobody in my life of any mattering avoids my expectations, or I theirs.
Disappointment seems constant companion of expectations, mostly our disappointments in failing to meet expectations of how we might meet someone else’s.
Fool’s game we all play. And in that it seems we are inevitably alike.
In terms of others, their expectations of our expectations of them, confusion simply compounded.
It is completely absurd to have expectations of anyone – except of ourselves and then it is absurd how absurd those expectations are.
If we have no expectations, do we avoid being disappointed and better than if we had?
Likely not.
So what is it we want that, when we don’t have it, makes us feel less good, less valued, less successful, less fulfilled?
And where, and how, does attitude fit that equation?
If I have expectations of failure, I’ll likely increase my failure chances.
If I have expectations of success, I’ll likely increase my success chances.
Love this quote. I’m considering having this painted on a wall:
“Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations.” - Ralph Charell
I’ve not lowered my expectations.
I feel better. I’ve reduced my requirements, reduced my footprint, reduced my angst about meeting needs. Suddenly so many decisions have become so much simpler.
Raising, not lowering, expectations has to be key to high achievement.
And how does that equate to happiness?
Good question.
We can easily spend our whole lives in search of that answer.
Aren’t we the lucky ones!
Mark Kolke
196,596
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 14C / 58F, light breeze and clear, full moon hanging high in our sky, hazy horizon greeting the sunrise (we walked very early), yesterday’s sticky heat hanging around for a few more days – early birds making orchestral magic
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
Thank you from Montreal, Quebec !!! .. Hello Mark, I read you very often, and most of the time I said to myself: “this is beautifully said, I WILL send him a reply”, but of course never did, until today at this moment. Thank you for such an inspirational thought, I think that is somewhat the little push I needed to keep on knocking. You are a blessing, keep on “sunshining”. By the way, I am sorry for the loss of your dad. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. He is with the angels now and he is having his eyes on you. Have a blessed Sunday!, PJS, Montreal, QB
