Lowering your expectations is a key to protect us from disappointment. I do agree with your opinion. Keep setting the goal, do the best and expect less. It's always better to feel surprised rather than to feel disappointed.

Anyway, if you don't mind I want to clarify about this sentence of yours in the 9th paragraph.

I approach them all with a tree of various expectations.

I don't understand the tree expectations you've mentioned. Would you mind to explain it? Thanks