Getting Real
“People who urge you to be realistic generally want you to accept their definition of reality.”
“Realistic” describes someone with a good grip on a particular situation, and understands what can and cannot be done. An example of being “realistic” is a person who knows his own limitations, and isn’t expecting to be an amazing opera singer when he can’t even carry a tune.
Many people measure what is “realistic” based on what they can see, hear, smell, touch, or taste. In such cases, what seems “sensible” may be limited, and no progress whatsoever takes place. Consider these “realities” before giving in or giving up, based on what you or others are convinced to be realistic norms:
- A human can hold his breath for about a minute, but a beaver can hold his for as much as 45 minutes.
- Sharks regrow an entire set of teeth in less than ten days.
- Cats see six times better than humans, and have perfect vision in darkness.
- The majority of newlyweds prefer to have two children during their lifetime, but a female mackerel can lay up to 500,000 eggs at a single time.
- Ants do not sleep at all in their lifetime.
The list of insensibilities seems endless. Are animals more realistic since their senses pick up more?
You hear “impossible” statements about the real estate business – how much can we “realistically” expect from our day-to-day busy-ness? But what may seem impossible to most others is quite possible for you and me IF we change our frame of reference, and in many cases, our belief systems. Really challenge yourself! Try new things – do your best at them, but recognize that a few tries will not be enough. Giving up should be your last resort. Go after impossible things as if they are essential (critical). You’ll prove yourself right most all of the time.
“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”
~Audrey Hepburn