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management of expectations
Mar. 13th, 2009 08:13 amI have noticed recently that when I most don't want to -insert whatever- and I go do it anyhow, I rock it. Ebear mentioned something similar in recent days, and I've seen it elsewhere on my flist. I am wondering how much it has to do with coping with expectations, and how much is simply Murphy.
For riding, I think it is some of both. If I don't particularly want to go, then whatever happens, short of falls, bruises and catastrophe, is an improvement over not riding. Frequently something good happens, and I am pleased I accomplished the ride and the good. If I am (so presumptuous as to be) anticipating a ride, remembering good work recently done and hoping to work on or extend it, I get a smack from the universe and put firmly in my place. Generally it is simply a horrible ride, one where I particularly work on one predetermined thing and it IS NOT the thing I should be working on. Generally I recognize that error and retreat to things that do need work, that I can do, before I manage an EpicFail. Frequently I feel frustrated because the ride in general was less than pleasant, and less than productive.
I was dimly looking forward to circus class last night, and my wrist hurt enough that I was limited in many things. Although I could still climb (the fabric), and still base everyone for various partner acro things. And poor Al was a limp noodle and did nearlynothing. Oh Kate - we forgot to show Al the Titanic balance! We'll have to do that week-after-next when classes resume.
My father says "a job well worried is a job half done" which my husband likes but he says for me it isn't quite the whole truth. According to him, I need to properly dread the upcoming interval before I can find parts of it that might, in fact, be enjoyable.
My life motto: A job well dreaded is a job done well.
Those don't seem like especially inspiring words to live by. Actually that seems like a kind of grim attitude to take. Still, I am thinking their usefulness outweighs their lack of inspiration.
For riding, I think it is some of both. If I don't particularly want to go, then whatever happens, short of falls, bruises and catastrophe, is an improvement over not riding. Frequently something good happens, and I am pleased I accomplished the ride and the good. If I am (so presumptuous as to be) anticipating a ride, remembering good work recently done and hoping to work on or extend it, I get a smack from the universe and put firmly in my place. Generally it is simply a horrible ride, one where I particularly work on one predetermined thing and it IS NOT the thing I should be working on. Generally I recognize that error and retreat to things that do need work, that I can do, before I manage an EpicFail. Frequently I feel frustrated because the ride in general was less than pleasant, and less than productive.
I was dimly looking forward to circus class last night, and my wrist hurt enough that I was limited in many things. Although I could still climb (the fabric), and still base everyone for various partner acro things. And poor Al was a limp noodle and did nearlynothing. Oh Kate - we forgot to show Al the Titanic balance! We'll have to do that week-after-next when classes resume.
My father says "a job well worried is a job half done" which my husband likes but he says for me it isn't quite the whole truth. According to him, I need to properly dread the upcoming interval before I can find parts of it that might, in fact, be enjoyable.
My life motto: A job well dreaded is a job done well.
Those don't seem like especially inspiring words to live by. Actually that seems like a kind of grim attitude to take. Still, I am thinking their usefulness outweighs their lack of inspiration.
