After many years of pondering success, and the facets thereof,
I came upon an interesting puzzle.
Success is generally measured by a level of
achievement compared to expectations.
If I expect nothing, but receive a grain,
I have surpassed my expectations by an infinite amount.
If I expect to eat dirt, yet find a carrot -
success has overwhelmed me!
If, on the other hand, I expect everything - embracing reality -
I have doomed myself to failure.
Should I expect to feast at the King’s table;
yet, receive only a three course meal -
reality is far short of expectations - failure abounds!
These affirmations being true - the answer should be simple:
Expect nothing; guarantee success!
Simplicity, tantalizing as it is, is not always the answer.
Even the most backward, cannot look favorably at a carrot,
compared to a three course meal.
Ah yes! I’ve read the books - go for balance -
half way between nothing and everything;
but, are expectations so tangible as to be able to take hold,
and place them at will along a scale?
(Lower your expectations of income and
see if creditors aren’t soon calling)
I consider too, would those who dare to seek the glory of success
find satisfaction in 50%, mediocrity, or average?
Even viewed from all eyes, mediocrity could be frightening.
Take for example - a heart surgeon with a 50% record.
Nothing is not the answer - mediocrity is not the answer;
Everything, all, or perfection dooms us to failure.
Perfection, absolute success, totally achieving expectations, is
like perfect love or infinite beauty - in the eyes of the beholder.
-- An idealist: an adherent, a visionary - the one who demands perfection
because of a hunger for success.
These are the people who move, shake, change, enrich, upset, and rebuild
the earth to make it worth living. Their success is fed by idealism and
expectations -- it is achieved by dealing with failure.
The most successful people are those who know how to fail!
The expectation of tomorrow is within us all ! Could this be a start?

                                                                         Barnum Taylor © 1996