This is the eighth article in our "True Power" series. If you haven't been following the series, visit TheARTrepreneur.com to read the foundational material on beliefs before continuing.
"Realism" is Often Severely Unrealistic
Often times when you're out there, trying to express your own individual vision, you'll be told that you're not being "realistic", that you need to be more "realistic". "Being "realistic," however, is the biggest con ever perpetrated on the unsuspecting public. What it really means is expect the worst. Being "realistic" teaches you to look outside yourself for goals and aspirations, defined by who knows who. It teaches you to ignore your impulses. It teaches you, in other words, to create problems. What's more, it makes you a coward, whispering, "Don't get your hopes up, or you'll be disappointed."
Let's take a look at what happens when people are "realistic". Meet Steve. Steve has "made it". He has a super-successful job as creative director for a popular television series. He has a big house, a new car, a pretty wife and two healthy children. But Steve has a dirty little secret. Steve wants to be a barber. He keeps the desire to himself because he's afraid his family and friends will think he's a failure for even contemplating the idea of giving up his high paying job. Instead, Steve takes his misery out on his co-workers, he drinks too much, and he tries, through constant distraction, to drown out his true desire.
Then there's Sandra. Sandra is a high school dropout, working retail in a less-than-desirable neighborhood. Sandra loves music but, as her family will tell you, Sandra can't hold a tune: "A howling dog could do a better job." Sandra wants to be a singer more than anything, but she keeps the desire hidden, stuffing it down where it festers. Instead of pursuing her true love, she barks at customers who don't have correct change.
Steve and Sandra believe their desires are unrealistic. Now, many people have given up white collar jobs to work with their hands, and more than a few pop stars can't sing. In truth, Steve and Sandra's desires are not at all unrealistic. In fact, the very impulses are supposed to lead them to fulfilling futures. By following those impulses, Steve and Sandra will feel enriched, vital, and radiate enthusiasm even if it leads them to activities other than those of the original impulse. By hiding their desires, they spread their unhappiness around.
The real question is who is defining "realism" in these situations? There is no one-size-fits-all career or lifestyle. If you can call anything sacred, it would be individuality. No two anything are exactly alike, and this is meant to tell you something. Therefore, no-one but you can know what's right for you, and the best thing you can do for yourself is to pursue your desires even if it means you're the most unrealistic person in the world.
Becoming Unrealistic Exercise (1/2 hour)
In this exercise pretend there are no outside opinions from any source whatsoever ? parents, siblings, spouse, friends, T.V., magazines, newspapers, radio, movies, books, internet, etc. It's amazing how many people create careers out of "showing someone they could do it". It's nice that you proved your sixth grade classmate was wrong when he said you were too stupid to become a doctor, but maybe you never wanted to be a doctor. Thus, for this exercise, turn those voices off.
What do you want to do now? Let your mind gravitate to the ideal lifestyle, the rhythm and pursuits that would make life interesting and energetic. Most people will find that their true desires do not come packaged in glamorous wrappings. They will be quite ordinary pursuits. Just make sure here, whatever you do, that you're not being "realistic".
Next: True Power Part 9: Choose Your Emotions, Choose Life
S.C. Giles is a contributing author of the ARTrepreneur E-Zine showcasing the full True Power Series that focuses on proven techniques to accomplish any goal.
The ARTrepreneur offers articles helping artists focus on proven techniques to accomplish any goal. Read More: http://www.theartrepreneur.com
Copyright © 2005 Arctic Mouse, Inc. All rights reserved.
How many of us couldn't use a hug on a... Read More
Are you prepared to make your heart matter? Are you... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 25,... Read More
Wreaths are like rings. They represent the Universal Circle ("Let... Read More
Did you ever watch a bird in flight? Especially ducks... Read More
What is it that stops you from jumping off a... Read More
Have you always wanted to do invent something, create something,... Read More
As soon as you have launched a strong desire, the... Read More
If you suffer from a nagging feeling of "there must... Read More
Everyone knows that a positive attitude is key to the... Read More
?you are, he is, she is, they are? But you... Read More
Last week we started a five part series on The... Read More
Wow, it's a new year and a new millennium! What... Read More
Isn't that an appealing title? How to Have an Effortless... Read More
I'll share with you one of my deepest insights about... Read More
Treasures of a lifetime...At the end of your life will... Read More
Why would we need to examine our lives? What benefit... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24,... Read More
*In the last couple of months, I have been fortunate... Read More
The strength and durability of a building is found in... Read More
Wonders never cease. Just when those in our area of... Read More
You're a remarkable person. But, you knew that already. Still,... Read More
The physics professor with the unruly shock of white hair... Read More
In a recent disaster, a man was asked why he... Read More
A subscriber recently wrote to me and asked me to... Read More
My name is Chas Brothers. Many of you know me... Read More
I have no idea how it started or who launched... Read More
Do you suffer from emotional clutter? Is suffering even the... Read More
"All that you desire or require is already on your... Read More
We all assume that making choices is a simple process.... Read More
You've heard the saying, "You are what you eat." I... Read More
Chances are you have seen some type of disturbance in... Read More
Yesterday, I listened to an interview with Michael York, the... Read More
Treasures of a lifetime...At the end of your life will... Read More
Memorial Day weekend, 2004, found my wife and I along... Read More
1. Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to... Read More
Life is too hard and too risky in the eyes... Read More
Nowadays the majority of people live in very large cities.... Read More
Michael Vick can do wonders on a football field, but... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 31,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 19,... Read More
Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too... Read More
Did you ever watch a bird in flight? Especially ducks... Read More
One of the most undervalued blessings is God's will to... Read More
Those who pride themselves on their honesty should also concern... Read More
Fangs. Killer claws. Hisses, grrrs...and later, yelps. Who is not... Read More
Who is Wallace Wattles? Wallace D. Wattles died over 90... Read More
Yesterday I was but a child, looking. Looking ahead at... Read More
So often we stop and look at our lives and... Read More
When starting any enterprise or business, whether it is full-time... Read More
My students and clients have constantly heard me stress that... Read More
When was the last time you felt you were enough... Read More
There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of... Read More
In pre-revolutionary Russia, a rabbi was walking to the synagogue.... Read More
This article was channelled through me by an entity called... Read More
You don't have to excavate diamond mines or oil fields... Read More
How many of you had the experience growing up of... Read More
For our diet and, indeed, in every aspect of our... Read More
I have a standing interview every Monday morning on a... Read More
Continued....I have since grown a lot. I have grown through... Read More
Did you ever receive a gift in an unexpected place?I... Read More
Why do we wait so long, before we start thinking... Read More
What If? What if I can't? What If I... Read More
I wish that I could tell every person that I... Read More
Did you ever wonder how you ended up where you... Read More
The true test in life does not occur when all... Read More
Inspirational |