Letting Go of Expectations
Letting Go of Expectations
The great thing about having a hopeful heart is that we can see the potential in anything we choose. We get to pick whatever want to believe and to choose to have faith in that belief. We especially get to hold on to even the slightest of chances, as if the results we seek were imminent. As long as an idea or dream or potential “deal” has even a flicker of life, we have the power to hold onto its possibilities.
Waiting for an approval or even a response to a proposal, be it business or personal, can weigh heavily on us until we can resolve an outcome. Sometimes things that we have failed to achieve linger in our psyche like a nagging allergy that clogs our mind and limits our clarity. We may suspect that what we seek may not happen, but until we admit it, we enjoy the thought that there is still a chance.
If we have too many ongoing possibilities to hold onto, it’s important that we find a way let go of the least likely scenarios. Oprah will not call. The mere act of letting go will free some mind space and simultaneously open the door for some new options. In many cases, the releasing or letting go of the need for a predetermined outcome for a situation is exactly what’s needed to bring it closer to reality. In other words, trying to orchestrate exactly how we want our dreams to unfold is a recipe for regret. Yes, I want a best-selling book but there are myriad ways to get there besides a call from Oprah.
Dreams should be about the desired outcome, not the process to get there, because that’s when worry sets in. By focusing on the goal, we lighten our load and transcend the worry state – we begin to see that we cannot manipulate events and people just by wishing for things to go our way. When we take the pressure off of ourselves from trying to control how we want everything to happen, we turn off the worry button. That simple act opens a new flow of positive imagination – A place where new dreams can form and where the possibilities are truly endless.
Final Thought: The best way to dream is to not worry about how it may come true.
Szenzone – Stories of life and the power to change yours – is sent via email by request and is published weekly or thereabouts. For back issues or to receive this publication directly please email [email protected] © Gary Szenderski 2025 All Rights Reserved. Gary is an author, branding specialist and teaches at the University of California in Irvine. He specializes in helping people and organizations navigate change – if you or your company needs assistance contact Gary directly. Gary resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments.