--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many start with unrealistic expectations…" description: "\"“Many start with unrealistic expectations about the chance of success: the vast majority believe their chance of success to be far above average, and a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/richard-h-thaler-8113_luck_many-start-with-unrealistic-expectations_1107723.jpg" --- # Many start with unrealistic expectations about the chance… ![“Many start with unrealistic expectations about the chance of success: the vast majority believe their chance of success to be far above average, and a third or so believe their success is a sure thing (Cooper, Woo, and Dunkelberg, 1988)!” quote by Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/richard-h-thaler-8113_luck_many-start-with-unrealistic-expectations_1107723.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/richard-h-thaler-8113_luck_many-start-with-unrealistic-expectations_1107723.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/richard-h-thaler-8113_luck_many-start-with-unrealistic-expectations_1107723.jpg) > ““Many start with unrealistic expectations about the chance of success: the vast majority believe their chance of success to be far above average, and a third or so believe their success is a sure thing (Cooper, Woo, and Dunkelberg, 1988)!”” [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often overestimate their success odds, leading to unrealistic expectations and potential disappointment. **In simple terms:** People think they’ll succeed more than they actually will. Key Takeaway Align expectations with realistic assessments. Themes expectations optimism bias Mood cautious analytical Type analytical advisory When to use this quote - investment decisions - career planning - education goals Key Concepts cognitive bias probability judgment Questions to Reflect On - What evidence do you have for your success odds? - How can you calibrate expectations? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can ignore external factors and risk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-believe-2935091/) [Believe Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-chance-386901/) [Believe Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-success/) [Expectations Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations-chance-2935092/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Majority Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority-believe-1717276/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Sure thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure-thing/) [Unrealistic expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unrealistic-expectations/) ## Related quotes > [“Don't the overwhelming majority believe that mankind is the crowning achievement of Creation, that man is better than everything, even things we haven't yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adalbert-stifter/don-t-the-overwhelming-majority-believe-that-mankind-is-the-crowning/) [Adalbert Stifter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adalbert-stifter/) > [The vast majority, who believe in astrology and think that the planets have nothing better to do than form a code that will tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/the-vast-majority-who-believe-in-astrology-and-think-that-the-planets/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [Those that know me understand that I hate any turn of the phrase 'permanent majority.' 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