Why Be Realistic?

Why be realistic?

Prior to cell phones, if someone would have told you that you would carry a little device with no wires and be able to speak to someone on the other side of the world, you may have thought they were crazy and unrealistic.

Prior to electricity, if someone would have told you that you could flick a switch and lights would turn on enough to light a city, you would have thought this person was delusional and unrealistic.

Prior to planes, if someone would have told you that you could bend a piece of metal and fly over the ocean, you would have called this insanity and unrealistic.

Obviously we can talk to anyone around the world on a cell phone, we have electricity, and can fly around the world and back on airplanes; all because people were unrealistic.

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." 

-George Bernard Shaw

So why be realistic?

Delusional: Having false or unrealistic beliefs or opinions

According to Psychology Today, Psychologists have determined that delusional people are both happier and more productive. Those who are delusional will be generally more energetic in their goal pursuits, and will generally aim higher than those who are more realistic. According to a psychological study, unrealistic people will usually accomplish more than an unrealistic person.

When I am reading a blog and see a video about Steve Jobs, I see an unrealistic person and someone that changed the world. When I read a blog empowering women and discussing a revolution for a true equality for women, I see someone that people would have scorned at years ago and women that stepped out of the norm to progress such a movement.  I could go on to describe such people, but there is no doubt that it is the unrealistic people that change the world.

So now, when someone talks about something that does not seem possible, when someone has a seemingly unduly confidence in their success despite their circumstance, or when someone seems delusional, do not be quick to count them out; they may just change the world.

It is not strictly an unrealistic attitude that will progress someone forward, but coupled with other necessary leadership traits, it serves as a catalyst and brings enough optimism to see a dream through fruition. 

Be unrealistic. Be delusional. Become a leader. And…as Mr Jobs would say, “Think Different.”