Is It Wrong to Have Low Expectations so that You'll Be Happy?

If you don't expect greatness, when it doesn't happen, you won't be disappointed. And if they do happen, you'll be surprised and eventually, happy.

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This is one of the biggest theories that leads to low expectations. But it turns out to be wrong, for 3 reasons, according to the cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot.

1. People with high expectations always feel better, whether they succeed or fail

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Because how you feel depends on how you interpret the event.

When people with high expectation succeed, they will relate the success to their traits. For example, I got the promotion because I am capable.

And when people with high expectation fails, they relate the failure as unfortunate and they'll try again. For example, I didn't get the promotion because someone else is better. I'll work harder and get the promotion next year.

And it is the opposite for people with low expectations

When people with low expectation succeed, they'll think they're just lucky and the next time they won't be as lucky. For example, I got the promotion because there's no one else to choose from.

When prople with low expectation fails, they'll undermine themselves. For example, I didn't get the promotion because I'm not good enough.

So generally people with high expectations feel better than people with low expectations.

2. Anticipating something good makes you happy

Just like how a mother anticipates her child.

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You know you'll be officially promoted on 16th of April 2018. How would you feel as the date grows closer to 16th of April? You'll be happy and nervous in a good way. The anticipation actually enhances your wellbeing and productivity.

Imagine you expect nothing when you wake up. You expect your life to be as usual. Or worse, you expect something bad will happen. Trust me, the way you see the rest of the day will be mundane and you'll never catch small little positive things that happens around you.

But if you expect your day will be awesome, that you'll have relaxing hot shower, you'll have a wonderful cup of coffee, you'll have beautiful smile when you wake up, you'll anticipate your day to be awesome. You'll start noticing small little things that make your day.

Find something to look forward to.

Question, which day do you feel better anticipating the future? Friday, Saturday or Sunday?

3. By having high expectations, you're being optimistic, and optimism leads to success and better health.

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Optimism is thinking positively, which leads to believing in yourself that you can and believing it's your birthright to be happy. By thinking positive things, you are attracting positivity. The law of attraction ryhmes with high expectations.

There's a balance in everything.

If you know it's impossible but you still expect it to happen, you are being unrealistic. Hence, you should weigh realism vs expectations.

Never be oblivious of the fact that bad things might happen. But focus on the higher positive expectations.

What is your opinion? Which side are you at, low or high expectation?

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@tifaong writes simple and positive practices and ideas that you can learn (or re-learn) and apply in your life immediately. She covers life lessons, self-help, relationships, and motivational contents. Her mission is to spread positivity so that we can live a happier, fulfilling life.

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