Have you noticed that you can choose disappointment?

Sometimes we aren’t very self disciplined because we let disappointment get in our way.

At the risk of sounding negative, I’m here to tell you that - faced with an opportunity - you’re potentially going to be disappointed either way.

Think of the example of reading a wonderful book that you really enjoy. There are two primary options:

1) You can be disappointed tomorrow morning if you choose to stay up late tonight to read a few more chapters of the book, or...

2) You can choose to be disappointed now by closing the book and going to bed at a decent hour.

Both scenarios involve disappointment.

Humans don't generally like disappointment. It doesn't feel cozy.

But avoiding disappointment isn't exactly a bed of roses, either. 

There's good news!

You and I can become less sensitive to disappointment.

We won't try to avoid disappointment so much if we recognize it's a part of life.

Instead of ignoring feelings of disappointment, we can pause to recognize them, face them head on, feel the disappointment, and keep moving in the direction we've chosen.

Here's the takeaway: Don’t let the disappointment stop you!

Disappointment won't kill you.

Choose the outcome that you want, knowing that disappointment could be part of the equation.

Accept that disappointment is a part of life and you are empowered to make wise decisions.

Let's revisit the book reading scenario above...

• If the outcome you want is to be well rested, choose disappointment now by closing the book.

• If the outcome you want is to indulge in your book, choose the consequence of the potential disappointment of being especially tired in the morning by keeping that book open and reading away into the night.

The next time you face an opportunity that feels close to 50% rewarding/50% disappointing, such as...

• Should I have dessert?

• Am I going to attend class today?

• Do I want to spend money on going out to eat tomorrow night?

• Will I attend the family dinner?

Identify the two types of disappointment on either side of your opportunity's coin. 

Then make an empowered decision.