If we demand a certain answer, we set ourselves up for disappointment, and if disappointment isn’t arrested, it will soon lead to discouragement.

Do your best to rein in your desire. For if you desire something that isn’t within your own control, disappointment will surely follow; meanwhile, you will be neglecting the very things that are within your control that are worthy of desire.

There are things that are within our power, and things that fall outside our power. Within our power are our own opinions, aims, desires, dislikes — in sum, our own thoughts and actions. Outside our power are our physical characteristics, the class into which we were born, our reputation in the eyes of others, and honors and offices that may be bestowed on us.
Working within our sphere of control, we are naturally free, independent, and strong. Beyond that sphere, we are weak, limited, and dependent. If you pin your hopes on things outside your control, taking upon yourself things which rightfully belong to others, you are liable to stumble, fall, suffer, and blame both gods and men. But if you focus your attention only on what is truly your own concern, and leave to others what concerns them, then you will be in charge of your interior life. No one will be able to harm or hinder you. You will blame no one, and have no enemies. If you wish to have peace and contentment, release your attachment to all things outside your control. This is the path of freedom and happiness. If you want not just peace and contentment, but power and wealth too, you may forfeit the former in seeking the latter, and will lose your freedom and happiness along the way.

Failure to follow desire, to do what you want to do most, paves the way to mediocrity.

Destroy desire completely for the present. For if you desire anything which is not in our power, you must be unfortunate

If you attempt what is beyond your power, your trouble will be wasted and you court not only misfortune but ridicule.

The quickest way to disappointment is to set unreasonable expectations.

Every time you catch yourself desiring something, say, 'Is it so important to me I’ll be unhappy unless this goes my way?' You’re going to find with the vast majority of things it’s just not true.

Do not desire anything that is not your own, because nothing is your own that is not up to you to procure or to secure whenever you want. Keep your hands right off it, but first and foremost keep your desire well away. Otherwise you are giving yourself up to slavery and submitting your neck to the yoke, if ever you admire what is not your own and feel strongly for things that are dependent on others and are perishable.

If you want not just peace and contentment, but power and wealth too, you may forfeit the former in seeking the latter, and will lose your freedom and happiness along the way. Whenever distress or displeasure arises in your mind, remind yourself, “This is only my interpretation, not reality itself.” Then ask whether it falls within or outside your sphere of power. And, if it is beyond your power to control, let it go.

They let disappointments destroy them. Disappointment is inevitable when you are attempting to do anything of great scale. Instead, let your disappointments drive you to find new answers; discipline your disappointments

If you don't set goals for yourself, you are doomed to achieve the goals of someone else.

Desire is a contract you make to be unhappy.

But it is within your power to avoid disappointment, by directing your desires to things that are rightfully yours to obtain and control.