How many of us are let down in one way or other, either daily, weekly or monthly. In my case this happens many time and I get disappointed whenever it happens but I have started living with it.
It was not the same a year back, when I left the job and started FreeLancing.
At the time of Leaving the job, I was the Project Manager in a reputed Software company and was managing multiple projects. When I started Freelancing, I expected that I will be getting business very quickly using the different websites which provide Freelancing jobs, relying too much on my experience. When it did not happen I was really disappointed and started venting anger on my husband, who use to cool my nerves by saying that business takes time to settle and just don’t give up.
Since I was expecting too much, that made me really down and out, always angry and thinking of the job. Result was my faith was crippled and gradually my confidence was blown into pieces.
But by that time I had reading Leo and Adrienne, and use to console myself by saying that they have taken more than a year to build on to their reputation. That feeling started sinking in me by then, and I use to question myself whether I am expecting too much. The fact was, I was expecting too much and that too quickly.
That made me realize that I should give up unrealistic expectations, the things will happen at their own pace but we should stay consistent in our process, should not think of giving up.
Unexpected happened in February when I got my first software project from a well renowned website and then unexpectedly I completed 32 Projects in 6 months.
After that I remained on my path of not expecting too much. Few days back my daughter’s grades were not as per expectation but that time again I Was disappointed, but did not take that to my heart and brain, and advised her to keep trying and get better.
Now I don’t expect too much from customer services of the banks as well. I know the Bank tag line can be anything, but there are humans who are working there and they can at times go wrong. It’s better to have realistic expectation from them.
Now I Don’t expect that my children will really be helpful when I will get old, but that does not stop me in giving them the moral values. I don’t expect that I will lose 5 Kg of weight in 1 month, but that does not stop me in giving up morning walk. I never expected that I will be blogging till few months back but now I am addicted to it.
I don’t expect anything but I remain on my path of being ambitious. I was a born introvert and never expected that I will be networked with all you great bloggers around, but I have been able to do that.
I will surely like to know your views on this topic.
Hi Sapna,
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Oh let me tell you, I’ve learned this lesson well.
You know our expectations can make us miserable for sure.
I had to give that up and now I don’t expect too much but try instead to be happy for the things I do get or have in my life.
My own daughter is a good example, it took her 10 years after High School to finally decided what she wanted to be when she grew up….the wait almost killed me but I tried to except it instead of expect it!
Now she’s on her way to becoming a registered nurse with aspirations to continue to her masters degree…wow I never expected that!
Sometimes when you don’t have too many expectations you are rewarded beyond your wildest imagination, like your business…wow 32 projects that’s amazing. Now if you had set your expectations for 50 you would be underwhelmed. right?
So let’s be thankful for what comes our way…like you said just keep putting it out there and you will get results with consistent effort and patience.
Tonya
Tonya Stephens recently posted..The Reluctant Entrepreneur
Hi Tonya
Thanks for your comment. After that incident my expectations are now very limited and very realistic. Even If those expectations are also not met I am rarely disappointed. So I have made a strong point to myself, never to be disappointed. I don’t now have wild mood swings.
My best wishes and blessings to your daughter for her endeavor. Thanks for sharing that as well.
Thanks
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~Sapna
Sapna recently posted..Expectation is the Mother of all Miseries
Yes indeed Sapna – expectations lead to frustrations.
I can well relate to the situation you were in too because it happens with most of us who leave a day full-time job to start freelancing from home. We don’t realize that Rome was not built in a day, and it takes lots of time, patience, and efforts to start freelancing work from scratch, because working online is totally different from working offline.
I started freelancing as a professional freelance writer and that’s when I first started my blog for writers (which needs to be revamped again now), where I’d shared what all one undergoes as such and how it can help newbies as one had undergone all that. It surely isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible too.
I am glad you are now getting your projects and work’s started flowing in. Keep it up! And yes, you will find many wonderful and helpful people like Adrienne in the Blogosphere who will make the journey worthwhile too.
Thanks for sharing a part of you with all of us.
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Harleena Singh recently posted..It Only Takes One Person to Make a Difference
Hi Harleena
Initial three to four months were very tough. That was a mental torture. But once I made up my mind to stay cool and expect very less, I started enjoying the things. It was all tuning the mind for the same.
Surely want to see your other blog.
Thanks for everything.
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Sapna
Sapna recently posted..Expectation is the Mother of all Miseries
Hi Sapna
I don’t have so many expectations since giving up work almost 12 months ago.
Being at home with the kids has certainly given me a reality check. I still have expectations and yes, I still get disappointed but I deal with things in a more realistic way.
I really enjoy blogging but my expectations aren’t high for making anything of it. Time will tell!
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Tim Bonner recently posted..Your Blog Speed Sucks!
Hi Tim
The Less we expect, the less we are hurt when things don’t work. It is the same with me as well, I have started bog without any expectation, and will see how the things shape up. But surely I will be meeting nice people like you along the journey.
Thanks for stopping by
Thanks
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~Sapna
Sapna recently posted..Expectation is the Mother of all Miseries
Hi Sapna
I love this post and oh it is so true. I also think your husband gave you good advice. It does take time to build our business.
I too had very unrealistic expectations when I came online. I had build a couple of offline businesses and somehow thought that would help me do this quicker. Of course it did not and it did not help that I was a technophobe!
I love your examples here and I think the important thing is to continue to take actions without the expectations as you said with walking and losing weight.
A great post Sapna.
Sue
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Sue Price recently posted..Habits to Support Your Ideal Life
Hi Sue
Thanks for visiting my blog.I would thank Adrienne again for helping me find the good friend like you.Surely we can take this forward.
Right you are, my husband advised me at right time coupled with the inspirational readings. I now have fairly limited and realistic expectations and I don’t get bogged down easily.
Have a great week.
Thanks
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Sapna
Sapna recently posted..Expectation is the Mother of all Miseries
Hi Sapna, You’re so right. Managing expectations is the key to any successful outcome. When our children bring home great grades, we shouldn’t be blase because we expect them to do well. Similarly when our employees do a great job, they should be praised, even when it’s the job they’re expected to do.
I like your diet example as well. If you think you’ll lose the weight immediately, you will give up and not have a chance of being successful.
Lowered expectations are a good thing!
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Carolyn recently posted..PicMonkey – Make the Most of Your Pictures
HI Carolyn
Thanks for visiting my blog. I have started living with very less and realistic expectations.I am less worried these days,can focus more on work rather than on the outcome.I make a point of appreciation everyone around and be the first one for that.
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Thanks for stopping by.
~Sapna
Sapna recently posted..5 Things I wont do to my Subordinates
Sapna, I am glad you posted this story because it is more than story about not giving up. OI like the last part about you being an introvert.
My ex-wife was an introvert and as an extrovert myself I never knew how to deal with her. I tried helping her come out of her closet, but the more I did made me realize she was not ready.
I started letting her decide who and where she wanted to interact with people and it got better.
What an inspiring story for people who have problems dealing with others and themselves.
BTW: I was in the military so I was forced to deal with people from the start.
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Michael Belk recently posted..More money=more problems; the Florida murder case.
Hi Michael
Yes it is Don’t expect too much, keep trying for realistic goals lest you succeed. When we expect more we are usually overwhelmed and we leave it either half way or when we are close to our goal post.
I can now go back and say that I am now not an introvert. I have fairly improved on to that. I can’t imagine how introvert can succeed in professional life.
Thanks again for your valuable comments.
Thanks
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Sapna
Sapna recently posted..Easy Way to Restore from the Backup on Window 7
Oh yes expectations can be such a let-down. It was nice to read that once you didn’t have expectations things began to happen. I guess if you focus on the goals in time you will reach them. I like to set high goals without all the expectations. Things usually do take longer than we expect especially online. Many people will say you can be successful online quickly but it takes long hours and dedication before it can really happen. You seem to be going in the right direction, I’m happy for you Sapna! It’s inspiring for me to see people that go from corporate jobs to their own businesses.
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Lisa recently posted..Can A Tweet Seats Event Create A Social Buzz?
I also have the same words as yours in mind so just a support comment to you and hope you will feel good that someone have the similar thinking as yours and we also came in contact too.
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Robinsh recently posted..Nokia Lumia 620
I started freelancing as a professional freelance writer and that’s when I first started my blog for writers where I’d shared what all one undergoes as such and how it can help newbies as one had undergone all that.