--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The one thing I’ve always had going for…" description: "\"The one thing I’ve always had going for me was people’s low expectations. Nobody ever expects a whole hell of a lot from me.\" — Chris Isaak" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/chris-isaak-12572_expectations_the-one-thing-i-ve-always-had-going-for_141102.png" --- # The one thing I’ve always had going for me was people’s… ![“The one thing I’ve always had going for me was people’s low expectations. Nobody ever expects a whole hell of a lot from me.” quote by Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/chris-isaak-12572_expectations_the-one-thing-i-ve-always-had-going-for_141102.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/chris-isaak-12572_expectations_the-one-thing-i-ve-always-had-going-for_141102.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/chris-isaak-12572_expectations_the-one-thing-i-ve-always-had-going-for_141102.png) > “The one thing I’ve always had going for me was people’s low expectations. Nobody ever expects a whole hell of a lot from me.” [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Low expectations free you from pressure, allowing you to exceed what others anticipate. **In simple terms:** Low expectations can be empowering. Key Takeaway Use low expectations as a hidden advantage. Themes self‑confidence expectations performance Mood optimistic confident Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - job interviews - sports - creative projects - personal challenges Key Concepts psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - When have low expectations helped you succeed? - Do they ever hold you back? A Different Perspective Relying on others’ low expectations may limit ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Low expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/low-expectations/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [Its sad that people have low expectations of me, you do not know of what I'm capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-sad-that-people-have-low-expectations-of-me-you-do-not-know-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Compassionate conservative soft bigotry of low expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/compassionate-conservative-soft-bigotry-of-low-expectations/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The soft bigotry of low expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gerson/the-soft-bigotry-of-low-expectations/) [Michael Gerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gerson/) > [The primary limitation in life is our low expectations for ourselves and others. When we expect minimum results, that's usually what we get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-primary-limitation-in-life-is-our-low-expectations-for-ourselves/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“They were evidently people on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/they-were-evidently-people-on-a-low-material-plane-of-existence-and/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Donald Trump appoints people of low quality, to say the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-remnick/donald-trump-appoints-people-of-low-quality-to-say-the-least/) [David Remnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-remnick/) > [Women and people of low birth are very hard to deal with. If you are friendly to them, they get out of hand, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/women-and-people-of-low-birth-are-very-hard-to-deal-with-if-you-are/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“People with too high an opinion of themselves get cut down; people with too low an opinion of themselves get pushed around…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolly-daskal/people-with-too-high-an-opinion-of-themselves-get-cut-down-people/) [Lolly Daskal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolly-daskal/) > [I prefer people being low profile than being a total stuck up person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-prefer-people-being-low-profile-than-being-a-total-stuck-up-person/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People are people, low or high.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/people-are-people-low-or-high/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [There are some people who have a low tolerance for criticism. I'm not one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-shkreli/there-are-some-people-who-have-a-low-tolerance-for-criticism-i-m-not/) [Martin Shkreli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-shkreli/) > [Always keep your expectations of people low, that way you suffer less disappointment….](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anmol-andore/always-keep-your-expectations-of-people-low-that-way-you-suffer-less/) [Anmol Andore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anmol-andore/) > [Most people with low self-esteem have earned it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/most-people-with-low-self-esteem-have-earned-it/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Poor people put a low value on themselves and their efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daymond-john/poor-people-put-a-low-value-on-themselves-and-their-efforts/) [Daymond John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daymond-john/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) ## More by Chris Isaak > [The tough thing about radio is I've met a lot of people in it who like my music. But it's hard for them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/the-tough-thing-about-radio-is-i-ve-met-a-lot-of-people-in-it-who/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [“It's a good thing to lend a hand, just don't be surprised when it gets bit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/it-s-a-good-thing-to-lend-a-hand-just-don-t-be-surprised-when-it-gets/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [There was a misconception about me when I started off because I had my hair greased up and I have some vague resemblance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/there-was-a-misconception-about-me-when-i-started-off-because-i-had/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [I don't know what people think in making record is like. But basically, I got a bunch of spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/i-don-t-know-what-people-think-in-making-record-is-like-but-basically/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [The things that got me through grade school are helping me out later in life. It's like, I show up on time. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/the-things-that-got-me-through-grade-school-are-helping-me-out-later/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [“Tell me Mother will I die? Yes, my child and so shall I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/tell-me-mother-will-i-die-yes-my-child-and-so-shall-i/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [When I play it I look out and see people hold on to each other and dance or just couples leaning into each other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/when-i-play-it-i-look-out-and-see-people-hold-on-to-each-other-and/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [I got by as a musician since day one. I don't live beyond my means. I have real cheap tastes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/i-got-by-as-a-musician-since-day-one-i-don-t-live-beyond-my-means-i/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [I write my own songs, and I only see their flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/i-write-my-own-songs-and-i-only-see-their-flaws/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [Glen Campbell told me, 'Stay out of the way of a good song.' I think it's true. If a song's good, don't overdo it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/glen-campbell-told-me-stay-out-of-the-way-of-a-good-song-i-think-it-s/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [Any time you talk about your own stuff you sound self-aggrandising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/any-time-you-talk-about-your-own-stuff-you-sound-self-aggrandising/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [If I would get an album out every eight months and if I would write songs that were more up-tempo and try to focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/if-i-would-get-an-album-out-every-eight-months-and-if-i-would-write/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [One thing, when you're an actor, you finish something and then you have to worry about what the next gig is. When you're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/one-thing-when-you-re-an-actor-you-finish-something-and-then-you-have/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [I remember listening to the radio as a kid and finding that the songs always made me feel more peaceful. Funny, but the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/i-remember-listening-to-the-radio-as-a-kid-and-finding-that-the-songs/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) > [I never set out to write a certain kind of song, I just play my guitar and see if I catch something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-isaak/i-never-set-out-to-write-a-certain-kind-of-song-i-just-play-my-guitar/) [Chris Isaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) [Explore all 54 Chris Isaak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-isaak/) ## More Expectations quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I say this all the time: I've always been really good at managing my expectations so that I'm not let down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-young/i-say-this-all-the-time-i-ve-always-been-really-good-at-managing-my/) [Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-young/) > [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/) [Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/) > [Keeping up with everybody's expectation is soooo hard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi/keeping-up-with-everybody-s-expectation-is-soooo-hard/) [Naomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We're wired to expect the world to be brighter and more meaningful and more obviously interesting than it actually is. And when we realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/we-re-wired-to-expect-the-world-to-be-brighter-and-more-meaningful/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [“Does your reality match your expectations? If not it's time to change either your expectations or your reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/does-your-reality-match-your-expectations-if-not-it-s-time-to-change/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [Jesus' kingdom was not like the popular expectation. He used the phrase 'kingdom of God' with a different meaning. His kingdom was not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harpur/jesus-kingdom-was-not-like-the-popular-expectation-he-used-the-phrase/) [Tom Harpur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harpur/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [It's a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-boyle/it-s-a-good-place-when-all-you-have-is-hope-and-not-expectations/) [Danny Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-boyle/) > [When we give from a place of love, rather than from a place of expectation, more usually comes back to us than we could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/when-we-give-from-a-place-of-love-rather-than-from-a-place-of/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Everybody out there watches the show and has expectations of wanting to be an 'Idol', but we're going to teach them how much hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-bice/everybody-out-there-watches-the-show-and-has-expectations-of-wanting/) [Bo Bice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-bice/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) [Browse all 4,210 Expectations quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The one thing I’ve always had going for me was people’s low expectations. 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