--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My expectations were reduced to zero when…" description: "\"“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.\" [ The Science of Second-Guessing ( New York Times Magazin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/stephen-w-hawking-84473_appreciation_my-expectations-were-reduced-to-zero-whe_2328022.jpg" --- # My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21… ![“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus." [ The Science of Second-Guessing ( New York Times Magazine Interview , December 12, 2004)]” quote by Stephen W. Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/stephen-w-hawking-84473_appreciation_my-expectations-were-reduced-to-zero-whe_2328022.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/stephen-w-hawking-84473_appreciation_my-expectations-were-reduced-to-zero-whe_2328022.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/stephen-w-hawking-84473_appreciation_my-expectations-were-reduced-to-zero-whe_2328022.jpg) > ““My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus." \[ The Science of Second-Guessing ( New York Times Magazine Interview , December 12, 2004)\]”” Stephen W. Hawking ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. After early disappointment, life’s later events are seen as unexpected gifts rather than obligations. **In simple terms:** Life’s later gifts feel like bonuses after early disappointment. Key Takeaway Embrace each new experience as a bonus. Themes resilience gratitude expectations Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career setbacks - personal relationships - health challenges - creative projects - travel adventures Key Concepts psychology mindset positive reframing Questions to Reflect On - What recent “bonus” has changed your perspective? - How do you balance gratitude with realistic assessment? A Different Perspective Optimism may overlook legitimate problems that need attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appreciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) [Carpe diem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carpe-diem/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Misfortunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misfortunes/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Second guessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-guessing/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [York Times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/york-times/) ## Related quotes > [My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/my-expectations-were-reduced-to-zero-when-i-was-21-everything-since/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [“If I am to be fallen into love, I will. And if as a result I will appear to be stupid, disillusioned, and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/if-i-am-to-be-fallen-into-love-i-will-and-if-as-a-result-i-will/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [When one's expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/when-one-s-expectations-are-reduced-to-zero-one-really-appreciates/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [I think any start has to be a false start because really there’s no way to start. You just have to force yourself to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-batuman/i-think-any-start-has-to-be-a-false-start-because-really-there-s-no/) [Elif Batuman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-batuman/) > [Accept the fact that you're an artist and stop second-guessing yourself. Just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/accept-the-fact-that-you-re-an-artist-and-stop-second-guessing/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [One of the nice things about being a private company is operating without the intensity of public glare. It's hard to grow a company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/one-of-the-nice-things-about-being-a-private-company-is-operating/) [Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/) > [Managers have people second-guessing them all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mattingly/managers-have-people-second-guessing-them-all-the-time/) [Don Mattingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mattingly/) > [If you don't have the confidence, it doesn't matter what you do, you're always second-guessing yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-jericho/if-you-don-t-have-the-confidence-it-doesn-t-matter-what-you-do-you-re/) [Chris Jericho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-jericho/) > [I don't get into that second guessing of myself publicly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/i-don-t-get-into-that-second-guessing-of-myself-publicly/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) > [Our brains are no longer conditioned for reverence and awe. We cannot imagine a Second Coming that would not be cut down to size…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/our-brains-are-no-longer-conditioned-for-reverence-and-awe-we-cannot/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [One should make the best choice possible given the circumstances, and then avoid second-guessing for the sake of one's own sanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/one-should-make-the-best-choice-possible-given-the-circumstances-and/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I'm not second-guessing myself as much as I used to, and I'm not second-guessing the people in my life as much as I used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asher-keddie/i-m-not-second-guessing-myself-as-much-as-i-used-to-and-i-m-not/) [Asher Keddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asher-keddie/) > [ You can choose who you want to be the hero \[in Hard Candy\], but youll be second-guessing yourself -- theres just no right answer.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/you-can-choose-who-you-want-to-be-the-hero-in-hard-candy-but-youll-be/) [Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/) > [A miracle worker who can do more with less, pacify rival groups, endure chronic second guessing, tolerate low levels of support, process large volumes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fullan/a-miracle-worker-who-can-do-more-with-less-pacify-rival-groups-endure/) [Michael Fullan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fullan/) > [Listen, young people, I understand narcissism - clearly. But at least I have the decency to hate myself. And that's what's missing from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/listen-young-people-i-understand-narcissism-clearly-but-at-least-i/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) ## More by Stephen W. Hawking > [“I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-w-hawking/i-m-not-afraid-of-death-but-i-m-in-no-hurry-to-die/) Stephen W. Hawking > [“The role played by time at the beginning of the universe is, I believe, the final key to removing the need for a Grand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-w-hawking/the-role-played-by-time-at-the-beginning-of-the-universe-is-i-believe/) Stephen W. Hawking Explore all 3 Stephen W. Hawking quotes ## More Appreciation quotes > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Time can but make her beauty over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/time-can-but-make-her-beauty-over-again/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. 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The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Recognize and appreciate little things, and enjoy what Life has to offer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-nikko-caharian-iii/recognize-and-appreciate-little-things-and-enjoy-what-life-has-to/) Cesar Nikko Caharian III > [Men, when it comes to women, value diamonds and put no stock into copper. Diamonds are rare. You can find copper anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/men-when-it-comes-to-women-value-diamonds-and-put-no-stock-into/) Enhance Dreams > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/be-very-slow-to-believe-that-you-are-wiser-than-all-others-it-is-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Browse all 2,528 Appreciation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.\" [ The Science of Second-Guessing ( New York Times Magazine Interview , December 12, 2004)]”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen W. 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