--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We all think we’re going to be great and…" description: "\"We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met. But sometimes our expectations sell us short. So..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/shonda-rhimes-1866_anatomy_we-all-think-we-re-going-to-be-great-and_87235.jpg" --- # We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little… ![“We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met. But sometimes our expectations sell us short. Sometimes the expected simply pales in comparison to the unexpected. You got to wonder why we cling to our expectations, because the expected is just…” quote by Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/shonda-rhimes-1866_anatomy_we-all-think-we-re-going-to-be-great-and_87235.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/shonda-rhimes-1866_anatomy_we-all-think-we-re-going-to-be-great-and_87235.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/shonda-rhimes-1866_anatomy_we-all-think-we-re-going-to-be-great-and_87235.jpg) > “We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met. But sometimes our expectations sell us short. Sometimes the expected simply pales in comparison to the unexpected. You got to wonder why we cling to our expectations, because the expected is just what keeps us steady. Standing. Still. The expected's just the beginning, the unexpected is what changes our lives.” [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expectations provide comfort, but true growth comes from embracing the unforeseen. **In simple terms:** Expectations steady; the unexpected transforms. Key Takeaway Embrace surprise for change. Themes growth uncertainty mindset adaptability comfort zones Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career pivots - personal crises - creative projects Key Concepts psychology of expectation life transformation Practical Applications - coaching - motivational speaking Questions to Reflect On - What expectations are you holding onto? - How might the unexpected improve your life? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anatomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anatomy/) [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Grey 's anatomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grey-s-anatomy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [Boundaries don't keep other people out, they fence you in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/boundaries-don-t-keep-other-people-out-they-fence-you-in/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predict the future, as if figuring it out will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/we-spend-our-whole-lives-worrying-about-the-future-planning-for-the/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [At the end of the day, when it comes down to it, all we really want is to be close to somebody. So this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/at-the-end-of-the-day-when-it-comes-down-to-it-all-we-really-want-is/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/you-can-waste-your-lives-drawing-lines-or-you-can-live-your-life/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [It can be scary to find out you've been wrong about something but we can't be afraid to change our minds, to accept that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/it-can-be-scary-to-find-out-you-ve-been-wrong-about-something-but-we/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That's how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/at-some-point-you-have-to-make-a-decision-boundaries-don-t-keep-other-2/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [ I sort of watched everyone go through it on that show \["Grey's Anatomy" \] because I came on later in the first season, so… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-walsh/i-sort-of-watched-everyone-go-through-it-on-that-show-grey-s-anatomy/) [Kate Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-walsh/) > [I recurred on 'Grey's Anatomy' for three years, and at the same time, I recurred for eight episodes on 'Rescue Me'. And I'd recurred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-burton/i-recurred-on-grey-s-anatomy-for-three-years-and-at-the-same-time-i/) [Kate Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-burton/) > [It's not whether you win or lose - but whether I win or lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-lyle/it-s-not-whether-you-win-or-lose-but-whether-i-win-or-lose/) Sandy Lyle > [I like to watch 'Grey's Anatomy' when I'd doing cardio. But, sometimes I do need good music to get me moving. I like high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sweeney/i-like-to-watch-grey-s-anatomy-when-i-d-doing-cardio-but-sometimes-i/) [Alison Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sweeney/) > [How do you know when you're finished making love?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-pollock/how-do-you-know-when-you-re-finished-making-love/) [Jackson Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-pollock/) > [next to it was a dvd called 'as i get laid dying,' which had a hospital scene on the front. it was like grey's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/next-to-it-was-a-dvd-called-as-i-get-laid-dying-which-had-a-hospital/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [The most important history is the history we make today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/the-most-important-history-is-the-history-we-make-today/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [On 'Grey's Anatomy' I wouldn't care what I was playing - I would play a corpse, 'cause I love it that much. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/on-grey-s-anatomy-i-wouldn-t-care-what-i-was-playing-i-would-play-a/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [There's some great women doing TV. I would love to do a Grey's Anatomy-type show. I'm a big fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berkley/there-s-some-great-women-doing-tv-i-would-love-to-do-a-grey-s-anatomy/) [Elizabeth Berkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berkley/) ## More by Shonda Rhimes > [My philosophy was always try to look like Whitney Houston at all times. That did not work out so well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-philosophy-was-always-try-to-look-like-whitney-houston-at-all/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [“Being numb no longer suits me. It’s ill-fitting and I’m antsy about it. I find myself snapping back at people more. Or writing little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/being-numb-no-longer-suits-me-it-s-ill-fitting-and-i-m-antsy-about-it/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [You don't necessarily have to watch something for 14 seasons. It's not necessarily the way everything's supposed to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/you-don-t-necessarily-have-to-watch-something-for-14-seasons-it-s-not/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [My worst trait is that I'm an introvert. When I've led stuff, the hardest thing for me to overcome has been my natural desire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-worst-trait-is-that-i-m-an-introvert-when-i-ve-led-stuff-the/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [There are stories to be told that are still untold and characters to be portrayed that haven't been portrayed correctly. So there's work to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/there-are-stories-to-be-told-that-are-still-untold-and-characters-to/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I say it in the writers' room all the time: My black is not your black. What's terrifying is that, just the same way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/i-say-it-in-the-writers-room-all-the-time-my-black-is-not-your-black/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I don't think of myself as a television producer. Obviously, that's crazy. Because I should. That's what I do. But I don't actually see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-a-television-producer-obviously-that-s/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [My father used to say to me, 'The only limit to your success is your own imagination.' I actually believed that - like, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-father-used-to-say-to-me-the-only-limit-to-your-success-is-your/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I don't identify with her, but I highly admire Eleanor Roosevelt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/i-don-t-identify-with-her-but-i-highly-admire-eleanor-roosevelt/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predict the future, as if figuring it out will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/we-spend-our-whole-lives-worrying-about-the-future-planning-for-the/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [What I found fascinating for me was, I've never gotten so much approval and accolades and warmth and congratulations as when I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/what-i-found-fascinating-for-me-was-i-ve-never-gotten-so-much/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [“Look. I will not be told what size to be. I do not care about anyone else’s judgment about my body. I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/look-i-will-not-be-told-what-size-to-be-i-do-not-care-about-anyone/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [My parents created a world in which the only ­barrier to your success is your own imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-parents-created-a-world-in-which-the-only-barrier-to-your-success/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [There have to be practical steps. There's no point in holding out for a magic door because there are no magic doors. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/there-have-to-be-practical-steps-there-s-no-point-in-holding-out-for/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [Mother is a verb, not a noun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/mother-is-a-verb-not-a-noun/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) [Explore all 194 Shonda Rhimes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) ## More Anatomy quotes > [Anatomy is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/anatomy-is-destiny/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Descriptive anatomy is to physiology what geography is to history, and just as it is not enough to know the typography of a country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-bernard/descriptive-anatomy-is-to-physiology-what-geography-is-to-history-and/) [Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/) > [Dark influences from the American past congregate among us still. If we are a democracy, what are we to make of the palpable elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/dark-influences-from-the-american-past-congregate-among-us-still-if/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [“I feel your body, your sick and scared body. And I feel how it must be different from how it was, and how it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-montross/i-feel-your-body-your-sick-and-scared-body-and-i-feel-how-it-must-be/) [Christine Montross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-montross/) > [“The pen is an extension of my anatomy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-pen-is-an-extension-of-my-anatomy/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I profess to learn and to teach anatomy not from books but from dissections, not from the tenets of Philosophers but from the fabric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-harvey/i-profess-to-learn-and-to-teach-anatomy-not-from-books-but-from/) [William Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-harvey/) > [Bird taxonomy is a difficult field because of the severe anatomical constraints imposed by flight. There are only so many ways to design a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/bird-taxonomy-is-a-difficult-field-because-of-the-severe-anatomical/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [Ultimately, the problem is that sex is perceived as a personal, intimate thing, not in the realm of science. But that's not true. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/ultimately-the-problem-is-that-sex-is-perceived-as-a-personal/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [Grammar is to a writer what anatomy is to a sculptor, or the scales to a musician. You may loathe it, it may bore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-chute/grammar-is-to-a-writer-what-anatomy-is-to-a-sculptor-or-the-scales-to/) B. J. Chute > [The whole aim of comparative anatomy is to discover what structures are homologous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libbie-hyman/the-whole-aim-of-comparative-anatomy-is-to-discover-what-structures/) Libbie Hyman > [I am sincerely trying now to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-horton/i-am-sincerely-trying-now-to-create-a-dance-technique-based-entirely/) Lester Horton > [My philosophy is this: Do not tamper with the anatomy of a woman's body; do not camouflage it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oleg-cassini/my-philosophy-is-this-do-not-tamper-with-the-anatomy-of-a-woman-s/) [Oleg Cassini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oleg-cassini/) > [My fundamental premise about the brain is that its workings - what we sometimes call "mind" - are a consequence of its anatomy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/my-fundamental-premise-about-the-brain-is-that-its-workings-what-we-2/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [In my experience of these things, parties which shout about dirty tricks and the like tend to do so because they fear a direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mandelson/in-my-experience-of-these-things-parties-which-shout-about-dirty/) [Peter Mandelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mandelson/) > [Open up a few corpses: you will dissipate at once the darkness that observation alone could not dissipate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-francois-xavier-bichat/open-up-a-few-corpses-you-will-dissipate-at-once-the-darkness-that/) Marie Francois Xavier Bichat [Browse all 273 Anatomy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anatomy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met. 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