One afternoon, a boy was walking through a field when he came upon an apple tree. "It sure would be nice to have an apple to eat right about now," he thought as he stood below the tree.
The windfall apples scattered on the ground were inedible, as they had been half-eaten by various critters. There were a few pieces of ripe fruit hanging from some limbs, but most of these branches were just out of reach.
The boy was unable to climb the tree and unable to jump up to grab a piece of fruit. As he walked away, empty-handed and hungry, he mumbled, "Stupid tree. I bet the apples aren't any good."
Was he disappointed in the height of the tree or in his failure to find a way to pick the apples? In either event, circumstances were beyond his control.
These days, it often feels like disappointments are everywhere. So many parts of our lives have been disrupted, and the future seems very uncertain at times. It would be simple to give up hope and just let the chips fall where they may. But don't give in to that mind-set.
Disappointment is part of life. It happens to everyone. To avoid being disappointed is to avoid being human. The more expectations you have, the more disappointments you will encounter, especially if you go outside your comfort zone. People who expect the best are often let down the most.
Maybe it's missing out on a promotion, losing an account or frustration with the "new normal." Disappointments come in all sizes. Some may be small, others life-changing. How you handle such occasions will determine how fast you are able to move on with your life and career.
When disappointment happens, let yourself experience the emotions that come with it. The important thing is not to dwell on your disappointment so long that it turns into discouragement.
