Anticipation vs. Expectation

Don't you get so excited sometimes about a new opportunity that is popping up out of nowhere, or an idea that sparks in your head and longs to be manifested?

You get to work, you give your all and you are actually having fun. But then pretty soon the rational parts of your brain start chipping in: "What's my goal here?", "How can I get the most out of this?". You start setting goals and metrics on how to measure your new endeavor or project.

And that's the exact moment, where I have found solace in the following:

Anticipate, but don’t expect.

Anticipation: You’re excited for what the future holds, but you don’t try to control it.

Expectation: You try to predict the future and restrict your happiness to one outcome.

Always be excited about the possibilities. Never be entitled to them.

Do you see the (subtle) difference? I find that whenever I restrict myself to one specific outcome, my genuine motivation vanishes and whatever I do becomes a chore.

And above that, the discrepancy between reality and your expectations will creep up on you one day anyways. That doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for our goals, but the subtle shift from expecting a specific outcome to anticipating the journey ahead are two very different frames of mind that can make all the difference.

You can't control the outcome, but you can control your daily attitude.