Expectations are a part of universe that makes thing happen, both negatively and positively. Like atomic particles, universal forces cannot be explained, but plugging into them creates some kind of energy. You don't have to be able to see it or understand it to use it.

Do you understand radio waves or computer chips (ok, so some people do, but I don't and I have a lot of company in that boat!). I can't see how this arrives from my computer to yours, and I don't understand it, but I sure use it. You only have to be willing to let it happen.

If you were not given power of positive expectations early in life, you now have to create it for yourself. You can live up or down to your own expectations and expectations of others. 98% of people in prisons report that they were told by their parents or others in their lives that they would end up in prison. They lived "down" to those expectations. What if same people had told them that they would end up as a successful writer, or a great inventor, or a top sports figure?

1. Decide Right Now To Expect Nothing. Of course you can live "down" to expectations. In this context, however, it means to not get so hung up on needing, wanting, striving, wishing, and pursuing that you miss what's right in front of you. Setting goals to move you towards what you want is definitely, vitally important. But what is good and sweet and wonderful in your life right now? What are you missing out on by expecting something better to be around next corner?

2. Let Some Long-Standing, Idealistic Goals Go. This can be most freeing thing you do, and a tremendous sense of relief. Always wanted to be world's first perfect parent? Are you disappointed in yourself because you haven't yet won Pulitzer Prize? Are you comparing yourself to body of a runway model? Does your marriage lack romance of daytime soap operas? It's time to get over these types of unrealistic goals. Allow yourself to be human.

3. Truly Accept that Failure is The Only Way To Succeed. There's a famous quote that says, "the only place where success comes before work is in dictionary." The story goes that famous basketball player Michael Jordan was cut from his high school team because he wasn't good enough. History would have been very different if he had let "failure" stop him from working hard at what he wanted to do. Practice patience. Practice failure. Practice. Practice. Practice.