--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's seldom anything turns out to be…" description: "\"“It's seldom anything turns out to be better than you expected it to be. Usually it's the other way around.”\" — Raymond Carver" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/raymond-carver-2821_usually_it-s-seldom-anything-turns-out-to-be-bet_2106606.png" --- # It's seldom anything turns out to be better than you… ![“It's seldom anything turns out to be better than you expected it to be. Usually it's the other way around.” quote by Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/raymond-carver-2821_usually_it-s-seldom-anything-turns-out-to-be-bet_2106606.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/raymond-carver-2821_usually_it-s-seldom-anything-turns-out-to-be-bet_2106606.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/raymond-carver-2821_usually_it-s-seldom-anything-turns-out-to-be-bet_2106606.png) > ““It's seldom anything turns out to be better than you expected it to be. Usually it's the other way around.”” [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expectations often fall short; reality can be better. **In simple terms:** Expectations may be exceeded. Key Takeaway Stay open to unexpected outcomes. Themes expectation reality surprise Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - personal goals - creative projects Key Concepts psychology of expectation optimism Questions to Reflect On - When have you been pleasantly surprised? - How do you manage expectations? A Different Perspective Over‑optimism can lead to disappointment; not all outcomes improve. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Truth is, I lied when I said I'm nothing without you...turns out I'm better off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/truth-is-i-lied-when-i-said-i-m-nothing-without-you-turns-out-i-m/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people just come in, do it and they know it's right. It turns out better than you imagined it was going to sound.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-shear/some-people-just-come-in-do-it-and-they-know-it-s-right-it-turns-out/) [Jules Shear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-shear/) > [True love does not consist in trying to correct others, but in feeling joy that things are better than we expected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/true-love-does-not-consist-in-trying-to-correct-others-but-in-feeling/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Good is not good when better is expected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/good-is-not-good-when-better-is-expected/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [My career has been going better than expected, and I'm grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-singe/my-career-has-been-going-better-than-expected-and-i-m-grateful/) [William Singe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-singe/) > [Motherhood is far better than I expected. I love it with all of my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayesha-curry/motherhood-is-far-better-than-i-expected-i-love-it-with-all-of-my/) [Ayesha Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayesha-curry/) > ['Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so pleased to see the evil Irish nuns thoroughly exposed, and I thought Judi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-tomalin/philomena-was-even-better-than-i-had-expected-i-was-so-pleased-to-see/) [Claire Tomalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-tomalin/) > [Good is not good enough when better is expected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-lamoriello/good-is-not-good-enough-when-better-is-expected/) Lou Lamoriello > [It is beautiful when the unexpected that took the place of the expected becomes better than the expected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/it-is-beautiful-when-the-unexpected-that-took-the-place-of-the/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [God rarely answers the way One expects, but when he Does, its better than you EXPECTED!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/god-rarely-answers-the-way-one-expects-but-when-he-does-its-better/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [I'm feeling better than expected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-ullrich/i-m-feeling-better-than-expected/) [Jan Ullrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-ullrich/) > [ If you're uncertain and a \[Donald\] Trump skeptic, you think you know what, this administration is going to be better than I expected. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-chaffetz/if-you-re-uncertain-and-a-donald-trump-skeptic-you-think-you-know/) [Jason Chaffetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-chaffetz/) > [“You're better than I expected...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dynasty-warriors-a-video-game-by-koei-co/you-re-better-than-i-expected/) Dynasty Warriors a Video Game by Koei Co > [Good is not good, where better is expected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/good-is-not-good-where-better-is-expected/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Although you will often receive something other than what you prayed for, I have never known it to be worse - it has always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/squire-rushnell/although-you-will-often-receive-something-other-than-what-you-prayed/) [SQuire Rushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/squire-rushnell/) ## More by Raymond Carver > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [My heart is broken,” she goes. “It’s turned to a piece of stone. I’m no good. That’s what’s as bad as anything, that I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/my-heart-is-broken-she-goes-it-s-turned-to-a-piece-of-stone-i-m-no/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [“You sound like a nice man,” the woman said. “Do I? Well, that’s nice of you to say.” He knew he should hang up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/you-sound-like-a-nice-man-the-woman-said-do-i-well-that-s-nice-of-you/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [Life and death matters, yes. And the question of how to behave in this world, how to go in the face of everything. Time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/life-and-death-matters-yes-and-the-question-of-how-to-behave-in-this/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [The places where water comes together with other water. Those places stand out in my mind like holy places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/the-places-where-water-comes-together-with-other-water-those-places/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [A man can go along obeying all the rules and then it don't matter a damn anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/a-man-can-go-along-obeying-all-the-rules-and-then-it-don-t-matter-a/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [“You see, this happened a few months ago, but it's still going on right now, and it ought to make us feel ashamed when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/you-see-this-happened-a-few-months-ago-but-it-s-still-going-on-right/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I've crossed some kind of invisible line. I feel as if I've come to a place I never thought I'd have to come to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/i-ve-crossed-some-kind-of-invisible-line-i-feel-as-if-i-ve-come-to-a/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [Art doesn't have to do anything. It just has to be there for the fierce pleasure we take in doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/art-doesn-t-have-to-do-anything-it-just-has-to-be-there-for-the/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [“But here is the thing. When he gets on me, I suddenly feel I am fat. I feel am terrifically fat, so fat that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/but-here-is-the-thing-when-he-gets-on-me-i-suddenly-feel-i-am-fat-i/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [There are significant moments in everyone's day that can make literature. That's what you ought to write about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/there-are-significant-moments-in-everyone-s-day-that-can-make/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [The fiction Im most interested in has lines of reference to the real world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/the-fiction-im-most-interested-in-has-lines-of-reference-to-the-real/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [Don’t complain, don’t explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/don-t-complain-don-t-explain/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [It's strange. You never start out life with the intention of becoming a bankrupt or an alcoholic or a cheat and a thief. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/it-s-strange-you-never-start-out-life-with-the-intention-of-becoming/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I am a cigarette with a body attached to it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/i-am-a-cigarette-with-a-body-attached-to-it/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) [Explore all 134 Raymond Carver quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) ## More Usually quotes > [Best practices usually aren't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-locke/best-practices-usually-aren-t/) [Christopher Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-locke/) > [Plumbing is usually boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/plumbing-is-usually-boring/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [Usually I say I have no imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-padilha/usually-i-say-i-have-no-imagination/) [Jose Padilha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-padilha/) > [There's usually not a lot of rehearsal when you do films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bello/there-s-usually-not-a-lot-of-rehearsal-when-you-do-films/) [Maria Bello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bello/) > [“The one who truly sacrifices the most is usually the one who talks about it the least”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-stocker/the-one-who-truly-sacrifices-the-most-is-usually-the-one-who-talks/) [Todd Stocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-stocker/) > [Usually, I don't just talk and not back it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquem-griffin/usually-i-don-t-just-talk-and-not-back-it-up/) [Shaquem Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquem-griffin/) > [Usually people just hire me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/usually-people-just-hire-me/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [Anytime I've won a fight and asked for an opponent, I've usually gotten it, and that's because it's all well thought-out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/anytime-i-ve-won-a-fight-and-asked-for-an-opponent-i-ve-usually/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [When all is said and done...I usually have more to say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-chable/when-all-is-said-and-done-i-usually-have-more-to-say/) [Ana Chable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-chable/) > [What's bad for the frackers usually is good for the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/what-s-bad-for-the-frackers-usually-is-good-for-the-rest-of-the-world/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [Usually you regret the things you say no to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/usually-you-regret-the-things-you-say-no-to/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [What one has to do usually can be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/what-one-has-to-do-usually-can-be-done/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [I usually like whatever I've recently finished best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-usually-like-whatever-i-ve-recently-finished-best/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Things usually work out in the end." "What if they don't?" "That just means you haven't come to the end yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/things-usually-work-out-in-the-end-what-if-they-don-t-that-just-means/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/folks-are-usually-about-as-happy-as-they-make-their-minds-up-to-be/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) Browse all 444 Usually quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's seldom anything turns out to be better than you expected it to be. 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