Reality
Reality is simply what is, the current state of affairs. However, focusing solely on reality can lead to pessimism and hinder pursuit of ambitious goals by overemphasizing current odds and obstacles.
THE IDEA
Reality
This one seems self-explanatory because it is simply what is. It’s the current state of affairs, regardless of opinion, bias, preference, or anything else. In very short terms, this is the way things are. Dealing only in the way things are can give us a rather short-sighted approach to things. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with a pragmatic approach to your goals. Being realistic and methodical is a great way to ensure progress is being made, contingencies are being kept, and things are going the way they should.
However, when you’re looking at things specifically from the standpoint of the way things are, it can open the door to a measure of pessimism. Have you ever had a conversation with someone about wanting to achieve a goal, but it’s like talking to a brick wall? For instance, you tell your friend Calvin that you want to be a writer who is wildly successful. Calvin hits you with a heavy dose of “reality” and starts throwing out statistics of the likelihood that a new writer will have huge success.
Yes, okay, the odds are small. That doesn’t mean that those odds are not subject to change, it doesn’t mean you can’t be that change, and it doesn’t mean that you have any less of a right to be excited or passionate about your pursuit. Being realistic certainly has its uses when it comes to being aware of the obstacles you need to overcome. After all, it’s impossible to overcome barriers you didn’t even know were there, right?
Let’s take a look at another aspect of reality and where it can hamper success. When analyzing the statement, “I want to succeed,” we’ll find a few things to be true. The first is that we’re establishing a desire for a situation that is currently not in place. This is the very beginning of a provision for the future. So, where does that leave me in a current sense?
If I want the future to differ from my current situation by containing success, this tells me that my current situation does not contain success. This is where we begin to get into the subject of perception. How do we determine what indicates success and what intrinsically signals success? Let’s take a look at what perception is and how that could figure into our plans for future success!
When to use it
When setting career goals, use reality to assess obstacles but not to limit ambition.
In entrepreneurial ventures, acknowledge current market realities, but don't let statistics deter innovation.
In personal development, use reality to set achievable steps, but maintain a vision for future success.
When evaluating a new project, consider the realistic challenges while also exploring unconventional ways to overcome them.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
The Writer's Reality Check
You tell your friend Calvin that you want to be a wildly successful writer. Calvin responds with statistics about the low likelihood of new writers achieving huge success, effectively discouraging you. Focusing on current reality (the odds) can dampen enthusiasm and ignore the possibility of change or personal agency.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what areas of your life might a focus on 'reality' be holding you back from pursuing ambitious goals?
How can you balance realism with optimism to overcome obstacles while still dreaming big?
Think of a time when someone gave you a 'reality check' that discouraged you. How could you reframe that perspective to maintain motivation?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Thinking in Systems and Mental Models Think Like a Super Thinker (Dawson, Marcus P)