Which is more correct?

There are actually three kinds of people. First the optimistic who dwells on the positive side and always expecting for the best to happen, then the second one is the pessimistic who focus on the negatives such as life's losses and sorrows, and then the third one the realistic. Of the 3 types I prefer the realistic because a realistic person is one who faces life with practical mindset. He has the courage to face whatever comes his life whether it be positive or negative. In this life we can't always expect the best to come, of course we can hope for the best but if and when it does not come what does that become of us? If we are realistic we can keep our composure and we do not lose faith even in the midst of the worst situation. A realistic person always prays for the best but if the worst comes instead of the best, he keeps his cool, does not panic or point fingers or start cursing and blame this and that but knows how to accept mistakes, defeat,losses and anything negative because he knows that in this is the reality of life and even if the bad comes there are still lessons to learn. In this life there are troubles and losses to expect and the heart of a realistic person is prepared for this.

well i think your boss simply wanted you to learn something...that is, in everything you do, expect the unexpedted. it could be good or bad. all you have to do is be the best that you can be. if you really did something out of your best, you have nothing to worry.

Well given the nature of a lot of people's attitudes in the world and really when you think about it, it is really leading towards the "expect the worst" mentality. Not that is the healthy mentality to have but it is one that is more correct than most int his day and age. There are just too many bad things happening and too many bad things that can go wrong. However, I think that hoping for the best too much might not be healthy as well. You may find yourselves rather blinded to potential flaws. There are just times where we have to have a balance. Hope that things are going to be working out but try not to be too surprised if they do not work out all for the best. I hope that the worst is not going to happen but most would be fools not to expect the worst potential possibilities.

You should hope for the best and expect the worse. They way you can be pleasantly surprised or be prepared to handle what you already knew could happen.

Don't think too much negative my dear. It is not good being pessimistic. It's best that we set our minds positively. Always think that everything will be alright. Of course, it will. Change your mindset.

for me the right thinking should be "hope for the best but be prepared for the worst" When you do things always think positively but don't expect too much just give it your best and hope it will lead to a good outcome but be prepared of the worst so you won't feel too bad about it if the outcome is not what you expected it to be.

I know what you mean. But I'd still opt for the optimistic mindset even if everything around us seem kind of gloomy but at the same time be open to the possibilities that whatever you're doing might not also turn out as you'd hoped it'd be.