[user5454]

> But on the other hand, people with really low expectations are usually not super happy when something turns out better than expected

I don't know, in my experience having high expectations seems to set you up for a higher fall and a lower upside, thus leading to less happiness. I have generally quite low expectations and am generally quite happy. Some people around me have generally much higher expectations and are generally quite unhappy. The things in life where I do have some higher expectations about are also the things I'm the least happy about.

[TipVFL]

> I don't know, in my experience having high expectations seems to set you up for a higher fall and a lower upside, thus leading to less happiness.

I used to feel this way, but I no longer think that optimism and expectation have to be that closely linked. To me optimism is about having hope, not expectations. Similarly, my pessimism isn't about what I expect to happen, it's about what I fear happening.

So, I choose to balance my fear and hope.

[hndamien]

ALso, as an optimist that misses a high goal, you may still end up in a great place. A pessimist that achieves his may not end up where he really wanted to be.