Lowering Expectations - My Philosophy of Life

[Russell Roberts]

I should honestly charge vast sums of money for the secrets I will divulge in today's post but I am not currently set up to receive donations. I would consider it sufficient payment if the reader would render a kind word or deed to a friend or stranger.

You have probably noticed that society tends to make allowances for those of us with limited abilities. I refer to this as "The Principle of Lowered Expectations". It has taken me the better part of four decades to recognize the vast potential for exploiting this quirky aspect of human behavior. Once I discovered it, I determined that I would milk this cow dry. I now view it as an art form. My method for exploiting this principle goes like this: Society expects us to live up to our potential. Reduce their perception of your potential and their expectations are easily exceeded. Despite what you might initially think, it takes a great deal of effort to reach the level of under-achievement necessary for such a change in perception. It takes time and you really have to work at it. You can't settle for mediocrity.

But this ability comes easier for some than for others. If you are an astute observer, you might have noticed that two main groups generally receive the benefit of the doubt regarding lowered expectations. These are the simpletons and the highly educated. The rest of us unfortunate souls are caught in the middle. For the simpletons, limited potential is something they're born with. For the highly educated, it is a learned skill. I think it is offered as a course in college. Among the highly educated, my dad demonstrated his superior skills early on and at critical points in his marriage to my mother. He wisely applied the same method outlined above to two broad categories in life. Cooking, and home repairs.

One memorable evening my siblings and I were left alone with only my father to prepare supper. Rest assured, it was the last supper we ever asked him to cook. Thick cold slabs of bloated, dingy yellow squash sat lifeless on our plates. Needless to say, that night we went to bed hungry. I still wonder sometimes, on rainy days, how he was able to make squash retain that much water. To cook food that unappetizing must have required a level of skill that I can't even begin to imagine. In the category of home repairs, no broken appliance in our house could ever escape the feigned attempts by dad, wielding a butter knife from the kitchen, to repair it. But I was young then, and gullible. I now realize the strategy he was employing of lowering expectations and I have embraced it as my own.

For example, four years ago I purchased a used truck. Should I ever decide to wash it I think it is quite likely that the small town where I live will throw a parade in my honor. Until then, I will just continue to drive real fast when it rains. On another occasion my friend Rian noticed a bachelor's degree hanging on the wall in my office. His face literally grew pale. I thought he was going to faint. I tried to remove it and disclaim it as quickly as possible, but I'm afraid I was too late. I guess in his case I'd overdone it a little. I've since replaced it with a crooked set of puny deer antlers that no self-respecting deer hunter would have ever killed, much less have mounted.

Out of guilt, I discussed this deformed and distorted philosophy of life with my Pastor, Ed Hauser, hoping he could dissuade me from this deceptive practice. But even he seems to have fallen prey to its corrupting influence. Thinking I wouldn't notice, he no longer describes anything in glowing terms lest my expectations ascend to lofty heights. Upon his return from recon missions to scout out new lunch spots, all I get is a muffled grunt that the food was 'O.K.' or 'edible'. I also noticed the other day that his Ford Focus could really use a bath.

"Hitch your wagon to a star" wrote Emerson. Forget the star I say. Hitch your wagon to a stump. Aim low in life. That way you're sure to meet your goals and certain not to disappoint. Who knows, maybe by living up to half your potential you might gain a reputation as an over-achiever!

[Shellie]

Awesome writing. I enjoyed it.

[Russell Roberts]

Thank you Shellie. Sadly, it is all true.

[Dr. Ron]

Well said,....and far too often operational in the lives of the masses.....

I think you have just spoken volumns for the millions of "lemming" followers of the "new left".....lowered expectations of what a leader should be...

Anyway, I pray that you excell at being mediocre.

[Russell Roberts]

Well said,....and far too often operational in the lives of the masses.....

I think you have just spoken volumns for the millions of "lemming" followers of the "new left".....lowered expectations of what a leader should be...

Anyway, I pray that you excell at being mediocre.

Thanks brother. I put a LOT of effort into it.

[one love]

Well said,....and far too often operational in the lives of the masses.....

I think you have just spoken volumns for the millions of "lemming" followers of the "new left".....lowered expectations of what a leader should be...

Anyway, I pray that you excell at being mediocre.

I feel the bar has dropped to low as well Dr Ron. I did enjoy the writing Irthnvsl but I feel this is some of our problem.
People excuse some peoples behavior because they think that is all they can do and therefore their needs have to be taken care of for them.
I know that does not directly reflect your writing but it got me thinking.
I have always set my goals extremely high and therefore I admit that has caused some heart ache but I will continue to set them higher and higher. Hey I was told to not work anymore and be on disability 4 years ago, by the Grace of God I am still working.
Im the guy that loves to think big and believe "all things are possible"

Anyway sorry to kinda hijack but I did enjoy the read

[Russell Roberts]

Thanks onelove. I actually don't employ this method in every single area of life. I do actually work for a living and actually do fairly well at it. I would rather understate my abilities than overstate them but it doesn't hurt to underplay your hand.

[Dr. Ron]

Yep, I have always been the big thinker and doer.....sometimes against good judgement....but if we don't try big, we don't win big.....

I have a limited time on earth....and there are a lot of souls to save....gotta do big "God Sized" stuff!!!!!

[one love]

Yep, I have always been the big thinker and doer.....sometimes against good judgement....but if we don't try big, we don't win big.....

I have a limited time on earth....and there are a lot of souls to save....gotta do big "God Sized" stuff!!!!!

Agreed!!!!!! Trust me I have been laughed at many times, but I am always willing to jump in and go for it. I owned my first business at 22 years old.
We learn from our mistakes as well.


Irthnvsl I agree to a point I get what you are saying. I am a born sales/business man so I have to aim high.

[Russell Roberts]

Yep, I have always been the big thinker and doer.....sometimes against good judgement....but if we don't try big, we don't win big.....

I have a limited time on earth....and there are a lot of souls to save....gotta do big "God Sized" stuff!!!!!

That could be an interesting discussion Dr. Ron. My main focus in life is to teach theology but I just don't seem to be very good at it. With respect so 'saving souls' I have some interesting thoughts about evangelism. If we look at what the word 'Gospel' really means, most have already heard it and rejected it. Gives me some interesting ideas about what the Church should be doing.

[Dr. Ron]

I am not sure where to begin with this discussion.

First of all, I was raised in and around evangelism and the church. Dad was a pastor, I traveled with evangelists from age 10. I saw it all and have done it all in that particular relm.

I was an evangelist for years, then an overseer, now a pastor/church planter.

I see many things differently now than I did before. Since culture changes every 18 months, our methods have to change accordingly. Not the essence of the gospel, but the methods of bringing the gospel.

One of the biggest failures of the church has been to disciple people to be "ministers". All who are christians are ministers. We just got the whole idea wrong about all that. Every person should be taught how to get their meat from the word for themselves and then be doers of the word and not hearers only.


Then there is the question about methods. I don't know which ones are best....I think you have to try a lot of things and let God bring the increase. We do a lot of outreach stuff here.....big events about 4 times a year to get the "unchurched" to come. That is where the rubber meets the road in my opinion. I am not interested in re-arranging the body.

I simply know that I have had to re-invent myself over the years to become all things......I believe counseling is an essential tool for the church today. I believe a recovery program is an essential tool....I believe small groups to be essential.....

For the sake of brevity ......and I have an appointment , I will stop here....but I do appreciate you interest. As for your teaching, I tell those who wish to teach here, set up a class, recruit students, and go for it. They will let you know soon if you are a teacher or a researcher.

I would say that I would love to have guys like you around me to do researsh for me....any smart pastor knows they need to do that.

[Russell Roberts]

Dr. Ron,

I bet you are a lot of fun to be around. You have a big vision and I really admire that. Everyone has their place in the body of Christ and you are apparently doing an excellent job at yours.

[Dr. Ron]

Thanks.....and yep, I am a laugh a minute......my wife thinks everything I do is funny ....that is why we only have two kids.....

Anyway, hang in there my friend......you are a part of the grand design.

[Jennifer Smith]

I have always set my goals extremely high and therefore I admit that has caused some heart ache but I will continue to set them higher and higher. Hey I was told to not work anymore and be on disability 4 years ago, by the Grace of God I am still working.
Im the guy that loves to think big and believe "all things are possible"

:

That is awesome, and that takes faith....enjoy the journey with God....





Irthin, that was hilarious and something I'm afraid many men seem to have "figured out" about housework....I can't fault you though! Especially if your pastor has set his aspirations so low. Except to say you might want to think about finding a new church!

Sometimes, when we get in "over our heads" I think we do hope people won't set their expectations too high... but sometimes being in over our heads is an act of faith and it makes life a lot more interesting (and fulfilling!)

BTW, I totally laughed and related to that, thanks for sharing.

[Russell Roberts]

Thank you. This post was more for entertainment thought it does reflect some degree of truth. My pastor is really an awesome guy...one of my best friends. This post really came about as a result of a conversation we had regarding food. Sometimes I will 'oversell' various food items by saying stuff like "Man, it was awesome...best steak I ever ate." Well, then he might try it and not really like it. So we developed the philosophy of not 'overselling' whatever we were pitching to each other!

But the story is true (with minor embellishments).