Expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.” – Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings

When Expectations are not in the Way

Expectations are in a way similar to money. View them as a tool needed to progress and develop, and they will not get in your way of a good life. Put them on a pedestal and you can forget about ever feeling peace and contentment.

Looking back, success in establishing a habit came easier when expectations were reasonable.

One area where I possessed very little talent compared to my peers is physical fittness. Yet among most of my friends, I work out more consistently and view exercising as a “fun” activity. When I started pursuing physical activity, based on years of being the slowest and the last to be picked in sports, my expecations of myself were very modest. I started slowly and consistently. I gave myself a schedule to keep, a reason to start and permission to stop once my energy tanked. Expectations were, though low, slightly above the current state I was in. That made all the difference.

Years later, I am still progressing and my expectations, at least when it comes to physical fitness, remain slightly ahead of my ability. They are not frightening. They don’t rob the joy from exercising, instead they keep me motivated to push myself just a bit more.

Tiny Habit

This is the tiny habit I started years ago and I still follow consistently. Everyday (either after walking up or at around 4 in the afternoon), I will workout (hiking, swimming or yoga). I almost always start but I always have permission to stop (guilt-free) if I feel tired. Celebration is built in; I feel uplifted and my brainfog clears.