“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”

Simplified Meaning:

Before you can achieve something, you need to believe you can do it. Think about a student who wants to do well in a math test. If the student thinks, “I’m terrible at math, I’ll never pass,” they probably won’t do well because they've already decided they can't. However, if that same student tells themselves, “I can solve these problems if I try hard and practice,” they are more likely to succeed because they believe in their ability to learn. This mindset is key in many areas of life. For example, an athlete training for a marathon must first see themselves as capable of running such a long distance. Without that belief, they might give up when training gets tough. By expecting good things from themselves, they push through obstacles and improve. In everyday life, if you want to learn a new skill like cooking or playing an instrument, you need to start with the confidence that you can learn and improve. This positive thinking helps you put in the effort needed to make progress. Belief in your abilities acts as a foundation for your actions, leading to real accomplishments.