“Our thoughts about an event can have a dramatic effect on how we go through the event itself. When our expectations are low, it's easy to be pleasantly surprised. When they're not, we're vulnerable to painful disappointment. Because of this, many people spend a good deal of effort trying to avoid developing high hopes about anything.”

American author, life coach, speaker, and sociologist

Martha Nibley Beck is an American author, life coach, speaker, and sociologist. She is known for writing and speaking about personal growth, purpose, and practical ways of making life feel more workable. Her work brings together sociology and self-help, which gives her a broad lens on human behavior and change. She is also a frequent speaker, and her writing reflects an interest in how people can understand themselves more clearly and move toward a steadier life.