Anticipate · Going Public with Ross Mandell

Anticipate

Here’s the thing about human nature: most of us are wired to say “yes” before our brains even catch up. Somebody asks for a favor, dangles an invitation, or pressures us into something we’re not sure about, and boom, we’re nodding before the words even finish leaving their mouth. Peer pressure, FOMO, ego, call it what you want. But that snap reaction to agree is how we wind up knee-deep in commitments we regret, stuck in situations we never wanted, wondering, how the hell did I get here?

I’ve been there. More times than I care to admit. And let me tell you, breaking free from that reflex takes work. Saying “no” doesn’t come naturally—it requires stopping, pausing, and actually thinking. And the only way to do that consistently is to anticipate.

The Power of Anticipation

Anticipation is like a shield. It’s not about killing spontaneity or hiding from life. It’s about stacking the deck in your favor. Life will throw you curveballs—that’s non-negotiable. But when you anticipate, you’re ready. You minimize the negative, maximize the positive, and turn surprises into opportunities instead of disasters.

Think about football for a second. NFL teams don’t just show up on Sunday and wing it. They spend months studying film, running drills, and building playbooks for every possible scenario. If the other team blitzes, they know the counter. If the defense drops back, they’ve got the quick slant ready. The best teams don’t just react—they anticipate. That’s how you win championships.

Life’s no different. Anticipation is your personal playbook. It doesn’t eliminate surprise—it just gives you the moves to handle it.

Reflection Beats Regret

Confucius nailed it centuries ago:

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is noblest; second by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is bitterest.”

Anticipation is reflection in action. You think ahead, you weigh outcomes, and you sidestep the landmines before you step on them. Skip anticipation, and guess what? You’ll be learning the hard way through bitter experience—wounds, scars, and regrets included.

And trust me, I’ve collected my share of scars.

A Ross Story: When I Didn’t Anticipate

I’ll never forget one night in the late 1980s. I had just gotten out of a rough stretch, career stress, personal chaos, the whole deal, and a friend called me up. “Ross, let’s hit this new club downtown. It’ll be epic.” Without thinking, I said yes. No pause. No anticipation.

I walked into that night with zero plan, just a “go with the flow” attitude. Hours later, I found myself completely wrecked, wallet gone, dignity shot, waking up half-conscious laying on the street outside a seedy dive bar in the East Village. The whole disaster happened because I didn’t anticipate. I didn’t stop to think, What’s the likely outcome if I go down this road tonight?

That one yes cost me more than a hangover. It was a wake-up call that my lack of foresight wasn’t just inconvenient, it was dangerous.

Happiness Loves Preparation

We all want to be happy, right? But happiness doesn’t just fall into your lap like a gift basket on Christmas morning. It’s built. Brick by brick. Decision by decision. And anticipation is one of the sharpest tools you can carry in your kit.

You anticipate your finances so you’re not drowning in debt.You anticipate your relationships so you don’t burn bridges you’ll need later.You anticipate your health so you’re not blindsided by a crisis you could’ve prevented.

It’s not paranoia—it’s wisdom. It’s choosing reflection over regret.

Life is a long, winding road filled with traps, temptations, and tests. If you just drift along saying “yes” to everything, you’ll crash more often than not. But if you anticipate—if you build your playbook, if you learn from past mistakes, if you act with foresight—you won’t just survive. You’ll thrive.

Happiness isn’t about dodging every storm. It’s about preparing your sails so you can ride the wind instead of getting wrecked by it.

So, here’s my challenge to you: stop being a reflexive “yes” machine. Take a breath. Think ahead. Build your anticipation muscle. Do that, and you’ll discover something powerful—happiness is no longer just a hope. It’s the natural byproduct of a life lived with foresight.

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