#ect

When our hopes for performance are not completely met, realistic optimism involves accepting what cannot now be changed, rather than condemning or second-guessing ourselves. Focusing on the successful aspects of performance (even when the success is modest) promotes positive affect, reduces self-doubt, and helps to maintain motivation (e.g., McFarland & Ross, 1982).... Nevertheless, realistic optimism does not include or imply expectations that things will improve on their own. Wishful thinking of this sort typically has no reliable supporting evidence. Instead, the opportunity-seeking component of realistic optimism motivates efforts to improve future performances on the basis of what has been learned from past performances. ↗

— Sandra L. Schneider

#expectations #improvement #learning #optimism #performance

We shall not find life by refusing to let go of our precious, protected selves. ↗

— Rowan Williams

#go #let go #life #our #precious

Let the morrow bring on what it would, he thought, for it didn't exist. Only now could lay any claim to forever... ↗

— Tim Willocks

#philosophical-reflection #inspirational

I long remained a child, and I am still one in many respects. ↗

— Jean-Jacques Rousseau

#child #i #i am #long #many

I just write what I wanted to write. I write what amuses me. It's totally for myself. I never in my wildest dreams expected this popularity. ↗

— J. K. Rowling

#dreams #expected #i #i write #just

There is a deep affection in Australia for the Queen. And I mean the Queen's been the Queen ever since I was born. I mean she is part of the firmament of Australia's sort of national life; there's a deep respect for her role. ↗

— Kevin Rudd

#australia #been #born #deep #ever

Freedom comes only to those who no longer ask of life that it shall yield them any of those personal goods that are subject to the mutations of time. ↗

— Bertrand Russell

#ask #comes #freedom #goods #life

Those who speak of our culture as dead or dying have a quarrel with life, and I think they cannot understand its terms, but must endlessly repeat the projection of their own desires. ↗

— Muriel Rukeyser

#culture #dead #desires #dying #endlessly

All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me - consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected. ↗

— Donald Trump

#consciously #expected #me #unconsciously #women

I'm not perfect at all. ↗

— Liv Tyler

#not perfect #perfect