Life seems incomplete without a plan. From day one, we are placed on a path that we are supposed to follow. Our parents and teachers give us the expectations they have for us and we set out to discover what this treasure map has in store for us.
Yet, we become so obsessed with these expectations that we feel everything in our lives must go according to plan. Whether it’s going to a raucous party or the age by which you want to be married, we have a strict perception of how our future should work.
Stop leaving yourself disappointed with unfulfilled expectations and stop trying to create a plan for every goal you have. The most exciting things in life are unexpected.
Think back to a fun night you had with some friends. Did it unfold exactly how you had anticipated it? Probably not. The future never unfolds exactly the way we expect it. Random factors come into play and force deviations from the perceived conclusion. Could you imagine how boring life would be if you knew how everything would turn out before you even experienced it?
Change makes our day-to-day operations more interesting, fun and strangely magical. Resisting change will slow down your progress in your pursuit of happiness.
Sometimes an unexpected turn of events will leave you smiling, and when that happens, be appreciative and observant of the wonder that has been bestowed upon you. It is how you react when things don't go your way that shapes your outlook on life and builds the strength within yourself to conquer the journey to success and happiness.
The world works in mysterious ways. Sometimes things will turn out in your favor. But when they don’t, you just have to roll with it. Your life will not turn out as perfectly as you imagined. This doesn't, however, mean you can’t live a life full of joy and satisfaction.
You just need to stay open-minded and be easygoing when things change. How you approach the path to your most important goals is dictated by your interpretation of the constant curve balls the world throws you. If you react with a positive attitude, odds are you’ll be in for a positive outcome.
Turn your focus to living in the here and now. More often than not, we find ourselves looking too far ahead into our future. While it is good to have an idea of how we want our future shaped, we shouldn’t overanalyze every detail that might affect this plan.
We have to accept the fact that changes will be made and we should only react with optimism. But until then, focus on the present and make the most of it.
One thing many people put stress on is relationships. We are infatuated with who we should be dating or when we should be dating. Release your relationship expectations and let things unfold on their own.
More often than not, the person you’ve been looking for will come into your life when you least expect it. When that happens, you must come to peace with how the relationship came to be and what it has taught you about getting what you want.
Take advantage of the opportunities you are given and do not be afraid of risk. If a friend asks if you want to tag along somewhere, say yes. Who knows, you could have a great experience or even meet someone special. Don’t turn down an offer because you are afraid of how it will turn out. An unknown outcome heightens the thrill of the ride.
Expectations cause the stress of a situation to rise. If you are an optimist, you expect everything to go perfectly. This will make you worry about the endless ways something could go wrong.
If you are more of a realist, you’ll expect everything to be worse than it actually will be. This will discourage you from even wanting to go through with the situation you’re so eagerly anticipating. In order to worry less, stop the expectation of any outcome, good or bad.
It is imperative that you make the most of right now. The quicker you understand how valuable time is, the quicker you’ll stop wasting it. You’re wasting your time by trying to predict the future. Instead, focus on being the best person you can be right now.
Become less attached to the likelihood of any expectation and you'll find the stress will lift from your shoulders. There is only one moment you should live, one moment that you should put all of your energy, thought and faith in: right now.
James Simkins | Elite.
