Expect the best

To a large extent, the difference between those who try for the seemingly impossible and those who stop just short of making the crossover is an ounce of common sense and a healthy dose of reality – though sometimes it’s hard to tell which category of individuals warrants the lack of one or the other.

Truth be told, an oft-overlooked element that figures into the formula of success is expectation. Not just whether or not someone takes the lot they’re given for granted, but also whether or not they expect the best or the worst out of a given situation.

Expecting the worst means worry, anxiety and selling yourself short. It means sacrificing otherwise-fantastic ambitions because they seem a bit too far-reaching or risky. It means, essentially, shifting your focus from one goal to a broader, less-desired end goal.

Expecting the best, on the other hand, means taking risks and justifying absurdity in the name of pursuing a passion and a belief. It means having a large component of foolishness in your decision-making, large enough so that you trust your heart rather than your logic.

Positive thinking really does go a long way, and taking circumstances as they come without judgment has really helped me make the most of my college career. Here’s to hoping that this translates into the real world as well.