In yesterday’s post, we looked at how our expectations can amplify the difficulty involved in a task and define our experiences.
One of the ways to break through false expectations is to “test the waters” and discover for yourself what the experience will be like.
By testing the waters, you don’t set any long-term commitments or aim for specific results. You only want to find out what the experience will involve and how it will feel, through actual evidence rather than distorted expectations.
I sometimes tire myself out thinking about exercising, but when I give it a go it feels far more easier than thinking about it.
The train of thought goes something like this:
“Oh my God, I so wanna exercise but don’t have the time or energy right now. There’s just so much to do. I’d have to go to my room, change my clothes, dig up my sports shoes, turn the door knob, leave the house, … zzzzzzz”
Every single step and gesture becomes an insurmountable task, as though going to your room is as difficult as climbing Mount Everest.
Instead of giving your expectations too much thought, say to yourself: “Let me go round the block and see how that feels.”
Think of the tasks you’ve been putting off or any experience you’d love to have but think is impossible to do so. Then try it out.
Without any expectations or commitments.
You’ll be in a better position to judge how easy or difficult it is once you have some experience to build on and learn from.
“If you fear something then pursue it, because the fear you feel is far worse than the experience itself.”
~ Imam Ali