Expect Nothing & Never Disappointed

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The first light of morning filtered through the blinds, casting a glow over Eli’s cluttered desk. It was the start of a new project, but the day felt heavy with doubt. Eli had spent weeks preparing for this moment—organizing notes, researching, and wrestling with the fear of starting something new. His goal was clear, to create a project, a way to share his insights and experiences with others. But as he sat in his quiet room, it all felt overwhelming.

The desk was a battlefield of open notebooks, crumpled pages, and abandoned ideas. Psychology notes scattered with scraps of philosophy, all marked with the weight of indecision. He stared at them, feeling their silent accusation, you’re not ready. Despite his preparation, the thought of starting felt paralyzing.

A reference from the movie Spider-Man echoed in Eli’s mind. It was when Gwen told Peter, “If I expect nothing, I’ll never be disappointed.” This had stuck with him for some time, offering both comfort and challenge. On one side of the coin, it promised relief from the pain of unmet expectations. On the other, it made him wonder if expecting nothing would help him avoid disappointment or just lead to giving up before he even started.

He thought back to times when this mindset had helped him cope with setbacks. During his years in martial arts, he had learned to focus on effort, not outcome. This approach also helped him as a personal trainer, where results often exceeded expectations. But now, faced with this new venture, he wondered if expecting nothing would lead to growth or simply to giving up.

The Inner Battle

Eli’s mind became a battleground. His inner critic, Ego, was quick to point out potential failures. “Who are you kidding? You’re not a guru. Thousands do it better. You’re just another voice lost in the noise.”

Eli shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He had asked himself these questions before, but Ego’s voice was louder today, gnawing at his confidence.

“Do you think people will actually care about what you have to say?” Ego continued, relentless. “You’re just a regular guy with a bunch of notebooks and ideas. You’re not an expert, and you don’t have the credentials. Who’s going to listen to you when there are actual experts everywhere? Real experts.”

The weight of those words made Eli’s heart sink. Ego’s voice amplified his fears, reminding him that the world was already full of polished speakers, charismatic leaders, and influencers who seemed to know exactly how to inspire others. “They’ve got fancy websites, followers hanging on every word, and book deals. And you? You’re just scribbling notes on a cluttered desk. What if this whole thing is a waste of time?”

Eli felt paralyzed. The flood of doubt made his vision of the project blur. Was he foolish to think he could carve out his own space in a world already crowded with voices offering advice, solutions, and self-help strategies?

“You don’t even know the first thing about starting something like this,” Ego whispered. “What if you put everything into this and no one cares? What if you embarrass yourself? There’s a reason they say leave it to the professionals.”

These doubts felt overwhelming. Eli would imagine everything going wrong—no engagement, negative feedback, complete failure. The thoughts created a fog of uncertainty, making the project seem unreachable and impossible.

Conversations with Kai

But amongst the chaos in his inner world Eli also had Kai, his wiser self. Kai’s voice was calm and steady, the counterbalance to the chaos of doubt. “Eli,” Kai began, his tone firm but compassionate, “remember why you’re doing this. This isn’t about competing with anyone else. It’s “not” about becoming the next big self-help guru. This is about you, about sharing your truth, your journey, and inspiring others who are struggling with the same things in life.”

Eli felt the weight of Kai’s words settle over him, offering a moment of clarity amidst the storm of his insecurities.

“People don’t need perfection. They need someone real, someone who’s stumbled, failed, and kept going. That’s your strength, you’re not pretending to have it all figured out. You’re showing up as you are, and that’s enough.”

Eli took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of hope rise within him. But Ego was quick to retort, “But what if you’re not good enough? What if you can’t deliver? You don’t have the followers, the credentials, or the experience they do.”

Kai responded without hesitation. “Ego is trying to protect you, Eli. He’s worried that if you step out into the unknown, you’ll get hurt. But remember, the greatest progress comes from embracing discomfort. The path you’re on isn’t meant to be easy, but it will be meaningful. You don’t need a massive following, and you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be you.”

Kai’s words were like a balm to Eli’s frazzled nerves. He felt his breathing slow as the tension in his shoulders eased. Kai pressed on, driving his message deeper. “You’ve lived through the struggles. You’ve fought through the doubt, the failures, the loneliness. That’s the strength you carry, the strength of experience. Share that, not some polished version of what others expect. What makes you valuable isn’t the number of followers or how smooth your delivery is. It’s the authenticity of your journey. Don’t underestimate that.”

Eli nodded, feeling Kai’s wisdom settle into his bones. Kai was right, people didn’t need more self-help gurus, they needed someone they could relate to, someone who didn’t gloss over the messy parts of life.

“When Ego tells you of your failures, remind yourself that failure is part of growth. You’re not starting this project to impress anyone,” Kai said softly, yet firmly. “You’re starting it to find yourself again, to share that process, to be a light for those still lost in the dark.”

There was a pause as Eli absorbed these words. Kai’s voice grew gentler. “It’s not about proving anything to anyone. It’s about showing up as you are, and that is enough. Every small step you take brings you closer to who you truly are, and that’s the real success. Forget the influencers and gurus. They aren’t your competition. Your journey is unique, and no one can take that from you.”

For the first time that morning, Eli felt a sense of peace. He wasn’t in this to chase success defined by others. He was in it to share his own truth, no matter where it led. And if it only inspired change in one person’s life, that would be enough.

Embracing the Challenge

As an INFJ, Eli often got lost in his head with these internal conflicts, but he knew he had to act. He took a deep breath and started writing, pushing his fears aside. He reminded himself that this was a journey, and like all journeys, it started with a single step. He focused on the project’s core purpose: helping others who shared his struggles and rediscovering parts of himself that had faded.

As Eli wrote, he found himself getting lost in the process. Creating content, brainstorming ideas, and outlining his vision shifted his focus from fear to excitement. The project, once a source of anxiety, began to feel like a meaningful experience.

As the day crept on, Eli chipped away at the chaos. His workspace transformed, slowly shifting from a battlefield to a place of creation. Notes were no longer just clutter, they were pieces of something bigger. Every small victory, a reorganized file, a drafted idea, was a crack in the wall of doubt he had built around himself.

With every task completed, Eli felt more accomplished. The cluttered desk that had once seemed overwhelming now felt like a canvas for his creativity. Each notebook and book no longer symbolized doubt but showed his dedication.

Reflecting on the Journey

By the end of the day, Eli felt a renewed sense of purpose. The project was still in its early stages, and there were many challenges ahead, but he had taken the first step. He realized he couldn’t control the outcome, but he could control his effort.

Eli knew the journey would have ups and downs. There would be moments of doubt, but also opportunities for growth. The idea of expecting nothing wasn’t about giving up or settling; it was about letting go of the fear of failure. It was about focusing on the process and finding satisfaction in the effort. Determined, Eli pressed on, embracing the uncertainty. He trusted that each step would bring him closer to his goal. The path wouldn’t always be smooth, but he felt ready to face whatever came his way.

Eli’s journey had just begun. He had taken the first step, and that was enough for now. Every journey starts with a single step, and each step forward was a victory in itself.

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Chapter Reflection

At the heart of this chapter lies a powerful truth, we are often our own worst critics. The weight of expectation, both from ourselves and others, can paralyze us before we even begin. But Eli’s journey reminds us that progress isn’t about being perfect or instantly successful, it’s about showing up, one small step at a time.

The internal dialogue between Ego and Kai reflects the battle many of us face. Ego, driven by fear, tells us we’re not enough, that others have already done it better, and we don’t deserve to try. But Kai, the voice of wisdom, reminds us that our worth isn’t tied to perfection or external validation. What matters is authenticity. What makes you unique is the truth of your experience, not how polished you appear.

So, as you embark on your own journey, remember that the first step isn’t about achieving perfection, it’s about having the courage to begin. Release the need for instant results or validation. Expect nothing, and instead, embrace the process. Success isn’t found in the outcome, but in the act of showing up, again and again. Every step, no matter how small, moves you forward. And that, in itself, is true victory.