Realistic personal expectations decrease anxiety and enhance motivation, partly because if your expectations are realistic, you’re more likely to achieve them. For example, imagine that you’re a high jumper standing at the line waiting to jump. The
stadium is full of fans, who are all watching you. The pole is set at 7 feet 2 inches. Your personal best is 6 feet 6 inches (the world record is about 8 feet). You look at the pole and think

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