“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”

Expecting the worst so you’re never disappointed is tempting. When something bad happens, you can shrug it off. When something good happens, you can be pleasantly surprised. This is a common and often subconscious coping mechanism for disappointment. But always being pessimistic can eventually take a tole on your overall happiness.

This quote, by Zig Ziglar, is about preparing for the worst while expecting the best. All while making the best of whatever happens.

It’s possible to be optimistic about plan A while having a plan B. Meanwhile, preparing for the worst goes beyond having a contingency plan. It’s also about mental preparedness–developing your mental resilience in the face of disappointment.