Jordan Sterling

So, I was looking at this study from twenty eighteen in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, and it completely blew up this idea that, you know, we should lower our expectations to protect ourselves from getting hurt. It turns out that people who set these low, safe goals to protect themselves actually feel greater disappointment when they meet those goals than the people who set high standards. It is this total, counterintuitive trap.

Ava Brooks

Wait, seriously? That makes absolutely no sense on the surface. I mean, if you expect a C and you get a C, aren't you supposed to be completely fine with it? Isn't that the whole point of the shield?

Jordan Sterling

Right, you think it is a shield. But the psychology shows we have this thing called shifting reference standards. Our brains basically move the goalposts the second we get feedback. So when you lowball your hopes, it does not actually cushion the blow at all. It just robs you of motivation beforehand and then, when you actually hit that low target, your brain immediately compares it to what you secretly wanted anyway, leaving you feeling completely unsatisfied.

Ava Brooks

Oh, wow. That actually hits really close to home. I have to confess, I did this exact thing with a creative project last year. I was working on this piece, and I was so concerned of it just falling flat that I kept telling myself, you know, if even ten people hear this and like it, that is a massive win. I literally built this cozy little safety net of low expectations.

Jordan Sterling

And what happened when you put it out there?

Ava Brooks

Well, it actually did really well, way more than ten people listened. But because I had spent weeks mentally preparing for failure, the actual success felt hollow. It was so flat. I had put myself into this state of avoidance motivation, just trying to escape the pain of failure instead of actively chasing the joy of creating something beautiful. It was like I was operating from fear instead of energy.

Jordan Sterling

Yes! That is the perfect way to put it. Avoidance versus approach motivation. When we are hiding, our energy is completely dampened. And that is where music can be such an incredible emotional mirror. It helps you shift from that defensive, closed off retreat to an open, brave state of mind. It forces you to feel the stakes again.

Jordan Sterling

And you know, that transition from holding back to committing completely is exactly what the PTT Music track, "All In," is all about. When you hear that driving energy, it is a direct sonic reminder to stop hedging your bets. It is about letting go of those low expectations and giving everything you have to your vision.

Ava Brooks

Oh, absolutely. The track "All In" has this beautiful, positive focus that makes you feel like, why am I playing small? It replaces that avoidance fear with pure momentum. It is like a soundtrack for building mental strength and choosing courage over safety. So, how do we actually maintain those ambitious, high goals without letting the fear of disappointment completely paralyze us? It really comes down to a kind of creative discipline, a way of training our minds to hold space for big possibilities.

Jordan Sterling

Right, because we need practical ways to handle that tension. I think the first step has to be what we can call the Goal Reminder. Before you get any feedback on your work, write down your original, ambitious standard on a piece of paper. Then, when you are actually evaluating the results, look at that paper directly. It stops your mind from doing that sneaky trick of shifting the reference standard upward after the fact.

Ava Brooks

Yes, give yourself permission to hope. And finally, step three is about creating a Resilience Soundtrack. When you are heading into those high stakes moments, pair them with a track like "All In." Using music to steady your nervous system and build courage allows you to face whatever feedback comes with a clear mind and a highly elastic resilience.

Jordan Sterling

Again, thanks for spending this time with us on the PTT Music Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you inspired, encouraged, and ready to carry that energy with you wherever life takes you. I'm Jordan Sterling...

Ava Brooks

And I'm Ava Brooks. We'll see you next time for another conversation that celebrates creativity, purpose, and the power of music.

Jordan Sterling

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to continue the journey with us. Visit PTTMusic.com to explore our latest music, official videos, exclusive merchandise, artist updates, and much more. You can also stream PTT Music on your favorite music platforms. And be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little inspiration today... Until next time, keep moving forward.

Ava Brooks

And let the PTT Music continue to move you closer to who you truly are.