Like many of you, I’m sure, I have found myself rejecting the “free-spirited optimist” at many points along my journey. In fact, I have been guilty of playing the “I’m not negative, I’m a realist” card more times than I care to admit.
That said, I am reading an outstanding book called REWORK, by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson of 37signals. I plan to spend more time recapping the key points and take-aways in an upcoming post, but I was terribly convicted of my occasional negativism by one key paragraph early in the book.
The second chapter, titled “Ignore the real world,” details the negative banter of those who consistently demean and discourage others with comments such as:
- That would never work in the real world.
- No way…that’s impossible.
- Nobody would want that. That’s not even…
- Nobody would believe that.
- That would never work…that’s not realistic.
You get the point. I GOT the point! I’ve said those things myself, and often times in situations where I should’ve been considerably more optimistic and encouraging!
The chapter closes with this paragraph:
“The real world isn’t a place, it’s an excuse. It’s justification for not trying. It has nothing to do with you.”
WOW! I love that! And I need to do a better job approaching potential positives in life with that frame of mind.
Granted, the “real world” does exist, and I am not suggesting that any of us blatantly ignore the cold, hard facts in front of us in any given situation. I would, however, agree with the statement above in that, more times than not, we use such rhetoric to justify inaction, laziness, or good old-fashioned stubbornness.
Think about this the next time you are faced with a situation that calls for your response. Consider the possibilities. And more importantly, consider your attitude and approach.
Negativity disguised as realism gets us nowhere!
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