When Expectations Backfire
Expecting more of oneself must come from a place of vitality to unleash growth; When such reflections evoke inadequacy and frustration they must be put on pause
By the Grace of G-d
5th of Tishrei, 5720
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. & Mrs. ...
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letters. ...
With regard to what you write about your frustration, due to the fact that you expect much more of yourself than you are in a position to accomplish at this time, let me say this: Although a Jew should indeed make steady progress and expect more of himself today than yesterday when he was not on the same level, nevertheless the important thing is that such calculations should bring an additional measure of energy and activity.
But it should be remembered that energy and activity can come only from a state of vitality, which is the opposite of frustration. Therefore, if one’s reflections have the result of bringing only frustration, then the thing to do is to dismiss such reflections from the mind in order to be able to carry on one’s daily activities with joy and confidence in all matters of Torah and Mitzvoth, and leave such reflections and calculations for other times when they will not bring about frustration and discouragement...
