Reality sits in front of us at all times, yet we hardly see it.
Or rather, we don’t want to see it.
Why does this happen?
We unconsciously put a lens over most things — a filter that takes the world outside and molds it into how things ought to be.
This lens is driven by emotion and ego, natural instincts that seek to protect our place in the status quo.
Trying to remove this lens and see through to reality can be painful. You might see things like:
- The prospects of your new business are much dimmer than you first thought.
- Your life is in a less advanced state than you once believed it to be.
- Your goals are much farther away from your reach than you would have wanted.
Learning to deal with reality and embrace the discomfort that can come with it are critical to success. This act is how great things are built by allowing you to align ambitions and reality.
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Dealing with reality requires a huge and consistent mindset switch that does not come naturally. How can we create a wedge into this line of thinking?
One way is to start treating life like a game. Begin by picturing yourself in a chair 1,000 feet in the air. Look down and observe a maze with a small dot stuck in its center.
The maze is your life: all of its goals and obstacles.
The dot is you.
Your mission is to move the dot from the center of the maze towards its outer borders. The fits and stops throughout the maze are the obstacles within your life. Towards the edges of the puzzle are your goals.
By stepping back and viewing our lives from a higher level, we can see reality more clearly. Emotions and ego do not cloud things anymore. Our obstacles become mere walls in a maze that can be bypassed with clear thinking. They are no longer a cause of frustration and worry.
Another benefit of this exercise is seeing the larger picture of your life. You may be stubborn and try to surmount every obstacle that comes your way. But this may lead you down the wrong path, or similarly, cost too much of your valuable time.
When building brands, stories and products, prioritization is key. Viewing your project objectively is key to doing this effectively.
- What is working well in my project?
- What is failing?
- What are the strongest levers I can pull right now to increase growth?
If you can answer these questions objectively, instead of through a cloud of emotion, you’re well on your way.
This is dealing with reality. It’s how the best brands, stories and products are able to hold onto their ambitions while dealing with real obstacles as if they were part of a game.
