Capital markets are driven by expectations, not facts; likewise, human happiness depends on expectations, not reality.

When your expectations are low, happiness comes easily.

If you work for someone else, you get used to receiving a salary as a given—“I worked, so of course I should get paid.” But when you become a founder or a professional investor, that mindset flips. You work hard, and the market might not only withhold your pay—it might take money from you. That’s normal, and you need to get used to it.

As a founder or investor, you must keep your expectations extremely low. If the market doesn’t screw you over, consider yourself lucky.

When expectations far exceed reality, suffering follows.