This week’s thought of the week is:
“Expect to fail and you will never be disappointed – nor will you ever succeed”.
Three times this week I have seen the quote “Expect to fail and you will never be disappointed” on Facebook. In some ways, there’s a sense of logic to it, but for the most part, it’s terrible advice.
It’s akin to saying never love so you’ll never be hurt.
Surely if we expect to fail something before we even start it, it’s inviting us to fail.
Expectations often play a large part in the outcome of something. If we expect to fail, chances are we will fail. And I don’t think that makes the feeling of failing any easier. In fact, it makes it harder, because only when it’s happened do we realise that we never really gave ourselves a chance at success.
If we expect to succeed, we start a task in the right frame of mind. We look for ways to make something work instead of accepting that it didn’t after the first try.
Sure, we might still fail, and we’ll be upset, but we can take some comfort from knowing we tried our best. If we start out with the wrong mentality, we can’t even take that tiny bit of comfort, because how can you give something your best shot if you are expecting it to fail before you even begin?
Never expect to fail. If you truly do believe you will fail, go back to the first step and find another way.
It’s ok to mentally prepare yourself for the fact that everything might not go perfectly to plan, that’s realistic, but to accept failure before you even begin is almost like giving up before you begin.
You won’t get hurt but you won’t achieve anything either.
What’s your favourite quote this week? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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That’s interesting. I’ve seen the quote floating around social too and never seen your angle before. I guess it’s true, go back and try again!
My fave quote would have to be ‘live life to the full and then blog about it’, it’s one I’ve come up myself!
Alina from lifestyle and home blog – The Fairytale Pretty Picture
Haha, I love that quote, I think it sums up most blogger’s lives pretty well!
I like your thoughts on this quote Debbie. I think you bring much more depth & reality to it. It’d be a rare person who would plough ahead without the slightest doubt that things will all work out to plan. No harm to be realistic but also positive. Thanks so much for sharing with candid cuddles x
Thank you 🙂 I think being realistic is important, but like you say you can do that and still be positive. Thank you for hosting x
Yes, I agree, what terrible advice! Then why bother doing something if you expect to fail? I vaguely remember a quote kind of related to this from a Maya Angelou book, I think it was something her grandmother used to say, something like “Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst”, which I think is better advice. Hopefully I didn’t completely misremember it! #CandidCuddles
Yes, that one is much better. It gives a realistic approach but is still positive.
I think it is better to go into something mentally prepared but planning to succeed. It’s so negative to expect failure all the time. Very much agree with your post! xx #happydays
There is definitely a fine line between protecting yourself from disappointment and not putting your all into something because you are sure you will fail – and then of course you will. Best to throw yourself in – as my mum would say. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this #candidcuddles
Very wise words from your mum there, I totally agree 🙂 Thanks for hosting
I’ve not seen this particular saying but I have heard ones similar to it. I totally see what you mean, I try to think positive and imagine the positive thing happening. Thanks for linking up to #HappyDaysLinky x
I think having a positive mind set is half the battle. Thanks for hosting 🙂 x