Day 18: On Being realistic
Get out of your own way
Sometimes we get in our own way and limit what we are capable of doing to what our perception is of what we should be doing. Often this is defined as being realistic or reasonable. But ask yourself, when has greatness ever been achieved through being realistic? Was it realistic for Edison to fail 10,000 times before finding a filament that would work in the light bulb? Is it reasonable to invest your entire (considerable) fortune to sell shoes online as Tony Hsieh did with Zappos? How reasonable was it for anyone that’s done anything of significance, to do so before they were successful?
Sometimes you just have to be unrealistic. Sure, failure is always a possibility and so is success, but only if you are willing to be a bit unreasonable once in a while.
Being realistic is the most common path to mediocrity.
-Will Smith
Always go with your passions. Never ask yourself if it’s realistic or not.
-Deepak Chopra
Today, let’s take a step away from rational thought and dare to be bold. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue?
Write it down. Also write down the obstacles in your way of reaching your goal. Finally, write down a tangible plan to overcome each obstacle.
The only thing left is to, you know, actually go make it happen. What are you waiting for?
-Matt Cheuvront
I don’t think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it.
-Richard L Evans
You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
What would you do differently if being realistic wasn’t holding you back?
Reply in the comments below or send me an email, I’d love to hear from you.