Question-Week ending Sunday 02/22/04:
Please choose from our list, which event in your life you ANTICIPATED THE MOST - and couldn't wait for the day to come? Please read our Pre-Poll Commentary before taking this poll.
Pre-Poll Commentary:
Our fourth keyword in our poll series on moods and emotions is ANTICPATION. For the purpose of this poll we will describe anticipation as follows: "a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen in the future." We could easily put a negative spin on the meaning of this word by substituting "excitement" with "fear" in the above meaning. However, we will be dealing with the positive description of anticipation for this poll.
There are so many happy events that occur during our lifetime that we simply can't wait for them to happen. As children we are always anticipating hitting some magical age so that we could grow up quicker. As teenagers we can't wait to drive, graduate high school, attend college or get married. Then through adulthood we anticipate starting a family, taking vacations, buying cars, houses and all the other material things we think will make us happy. We anticipate new jobs, promotions, vacation homes and ultimately retirement. We always seem to be looking forward to some event in the future that we believe will make us happier in life.
Anticipating a better future can provide us the ambition and energy level to keep on keeping on. Throughout history, human beings have tried to make life better in the future than it was in the past. Better for their children than it was for themselves. Thus anticipation virtually drives progress and helps us get through the rough times in our lives.
Unfortunately many times, when we arrive at the very place we couldn't wait to get to, we find that the anticipation was more exciting than the reality of the event or achievement. For this reason I believe it's best to enjoy living in the present and being thankful for where we are each day. Continue by enjoying each journey en-route to achieving our objectives as we savor the precious moments along the way.
Let us know what you think about ANTICIPATION as described above, by answering this week's poll question. This poll will end on Sunday 02/22/04, when the results will be displayed.
Our polls and commentaries are enjoyed by hundreds of individuals weekly, with previous polls featured in the top ten of search engines like Google and Yahoo.
Results:
- 33% of respondents chose from our list "Getting A Drivers License" as the day they anticipated most in life
- 32% of respondents chose from our list "Beginning My Retirement" as the day they anticipated most in life
- 21% of respondents chose from our list " My Wedding Day" as the day they anticipated most
- 07% of respondents chose from our list "Starting College" as the day they anticipated most
- 05% of respondents chose from our list "My First Child's Birth" as the day they anticipated most
- 02% of respondents chose from our list "Purchasing My First Home" as the day they anticipated most
Post-Poll Commentary:
This was a fun poll to watch during the week as "Getting a Drivers License," and "Beginning My Retirement" kept edging each other out for the most votes. I must say that looking back at both of these events made it a touch choice for me.
I can still recall how important it was to drive at age 16. Driving opens up a whole new world for teenagers, giving them the mobility to extend their wings like a bird and discover the world outside the range allowed via their bicycles. You finally feel grown up when you can drive and the maturing process accelerates forward as you are forced to become more responsible in so many ways. Getting your drivers license is definitely a major day in your life to anticipate with great fervor.
Our close second place in this poll on anticipation was "My Retirement Day." When anticipating getting a drivers license as a teenager, the whole thought process is focused on how much more fun you will have. You have so much more time to anticipate and dream about what retirement will be like. For those that do not plan well, it can actually be a time to fear. However, as we advocate in all of our material on this site - EXCELLENT PLANNING + FLAWLESS EXECUTION will exponentially increase your chances to produce your desired results. This formula definitely applies to RETIREMENT.
Retirement can and should be the acme of your life. It should be a time of liberation from what you "HAVE TO DO" verses what you "WANT TO DO." A time for giving, sharing and helping others as you enjoy the processes you choose to endeavor in and savor the precious moments of each and every day. Time seems to move quicker as you mature in life and your retirement days tend to move at warp speed. Anticipation plays a major role during this stage in life as you plan and anticipate enjoying the many events ahead each day, week or month.
Regardless of what age or stage of life you are in presently, use ANTICIPATION as a powerful emotion to make the reality of achievement more pleasant. Savor the moments along the way and always....ENJOY!