Reclaiming realism

posted on 5 March 09 | category: inspire anyone

You probably know this scene. You’re sitting in a meeting and for no particular reason you get sidetracked. The topic you started with suddenly begins to live a life of its own. You crack a few jokes, someone else adds to the fun with a couple of ideas he or she had been sitting on, and seemingly organically the topic begins to develop into something quite different than originally intended. You’re still playing around a bit, but you can feel there’s something happening. You’re actually on to something. You can’t put your finger on it just yet, but you notice it in how peoples’ voice changes from an informal “hahaha” to a surprised kind of “waaaaait a minute”.

And right there and then, someone says: “OK people, can we move on? Let’s get real here, shall we.” This results in sudden collective brain death, because…we comply. After all, we have an agenda to finish. And a firm “let’s get real” is pretty hard to ignore because that would implicitly prove to anyone attending that you’re not taking the meeting, your colleagues and the especially the one calling the troops to order, serious. And we can’t have that.

If you would claim that to many meetings go nowhere and are a complete waist of time due to no one paying attention or the chairperson not tracking time and topics, you would be right. I’m not suggesting you should throw all your expensively paid time management courses out the window. I’m triggered by something else. I’m intrigued by the “let’s get real” part.

In your experience, who usually tends to make use of that sentence or any other variation on it? In my experience, it’s anywhere from the sound sceptic to the downright depressingly morbid pessimist. Not that either of them wouldn’t be able to contribute, but for some reason the use of “getting real” statements would seem to be their prerogative.
Case in point: have you ever heard a conversation between two die-hard sceptics interrupted by a daydreaming fantast saying: “Come on people, let’s get real here.”? I haven’t. And that is just the weirdest thing.

Realism should at least be somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between harsh, objective, factual, risk-avoiding, task-oriented scepticism on one end and informal, daydream-like, no limits, people-oriented crazy dreaming on the other end. Only, it isn’t.

The sceptic gets to claim realism, the dreamer doesn’t. And since realism is generally regarded as sound, wise and responsible, the sceptic gets to claim those too. The dreamer doesn’t. Not without putting up one heck of a fight he doesn’t. It’s only in retrospect when a dreamer is successful somehow that he gets to be marvelled. The sceptic is always doing a good job just being sceptical, period. And that is an unacceptably distorted view on realism.

I remember a teacher of mine once calling me “nothing but a dreamer”. I was 14 or 15 and at the time she was right. I couldn’t care less about her classes. The only thing I did was being up there in the clouds with my head. It was a far more attractive place at the time to reside than what she had to offer down on earth. But her nothing-but-a-dreamer-statement was followed by “You’ll never achieve anything in life. Time to get real, really fast.” Well Misses, I beg to differ.

I admit, I am a dreamer, and quite unapologetically so. And this dreamer turned out to become a journalist, a teacher, a business developer, a marketer, a copywriter, a trainer…my personal development plan was never hindered by the boundaries of what my career (read: employer) would allow me to. This dreamer’s career IS his personal development. I’ve seen people and places I used to dream of in your class. I’ve witnessed things, both horrendous and ecstatically joyous, that are even beyond my mental journeys. And it’s only getting more exciting. Or from your perspective, Misses…it’s getting worse. In any case, what I do and what I see so many other “nothing but dreamers” do is just as real as anything else.

And yes, I trip every once in a while. And no, I’m not nominated for the Noble price (yet). But so did you and neither were you. Following your dreams is just as valid a part of realism from where I’m standing.

That dictionary of yours…the one that stated that the antonym of “dreamer”, is “realist”, couldn’t be more wrong.

So, for the record: I hereby reclaim realism and put it’s banner where it belongs: smack in the middle of the spectrum, for everyone to enjoy and to claim. The dreamer as well as the sceptic.

Getting real,
Karl

« Back

What's hot

Fear #2: Overcoming the fear of public humiliation
posted on 13 May 1011
Overcome anything: fear #2, sneak preview
posted on 29 April 107
Challenge 3 results: 'Paint with Light'
posted on 7 April 107
Imagine a company...
posted on 28 September 106
Become a fan, win a Moleskine notebook!
posted on 5 May 106
Event Cancelled!
posted on 22 March 106
Challenge 4 results: "Write a short story"
posted on 7 December 105
Corrective jaw surgery T minus 1 day
posted on 4 August 104

Comments

Martine 5 March 2009

Fantastic! Great Post! Ans oooooh sooooo true!

Coach 22 September 2011

lii
Thank you give us this good article! It is necessary to seller in particular air max. Certain cheap Coach Outlet overseas need a month for delivery coach outlet online. Therefore, if you want to purchase this cheap coach purses as a gift, you must be very clear, or you might miss the anniversary of your friend. Coach Factory outlet can be very comfortable and warm, reaching over nike dunk sb and a few considerations that are not expensive Prada Outlet. In addition to the plate of the car, it also ya a coach Puma Shoes, which is very popular and practical Supra Shoes. These Coach Bags was designed by Coach Outlet Online. The simple design offers these bags with classic coach outlet online. A robust exterior color difference inside is lined Coach Outlet Store. Never go with intent to endanger, try to go in coach factory outlet, even if they are on the hard discount in coach factory outlet online. Just run after the nike air yeezy is the best shoes. And you must also learn return louis vuitton outlet because the burden of international Coach Factory Outlet is very expensive.

sdfs 28 September 2011

the 4400 dvd "This king of queens dvd event the hills dvd is becoming the office dvd very the unit dvd popular the oc dvd among the shield dvd students the oz dvd worldwide, wild wild west dvd and I the west wing dvd enjoy west wing dvd watching the x files dvd these the wire dvd kids really true blood dvd master two and a half men dvd Office weeds dvd and have will and grace dvd fun xena dvd competing," beatles remastered dvd said the beatles dvds Takeshi 007 dvd Numoto, james bond dvd Corporate 24 dvd Vice 30 rock dvd President, alias dvd Microsoft ally mcbeal dvd Office big love dvd Division http://boxsetszone.com .

thomas sabo rings 10 December 2011

Are you an animal lover?thomas sabo charm bracelet offers a variety of animal design charms. You can go for rare and exotic to cute and cuddly. All animal charms are sterling silver that is polished for beautiful shine.thomas sabo charms sale There is a charm that represents the birthstone for every month. They are beautiful and will dazzle even the most unobservant eye. Along with this, why not add the zodiac sign.thomas sabo rings charm bracelet created in a Cameo style. Each one is carved to represent the individual personalities of every sign.

Louis Vuitton Outlet Online 17 December 2011

I am a poor student ,i have a dream to own a louis vuitton wallet ,it comes true now ,i buy a cheap louis vuitton bags from Louis Vuitton Outlet Online USA store . I am so excited and experting the bas arrive.

Louis Vuitton Outlet 19 December 2011

Louis Vuitton Outlet is neatly positioned greater than a stark whitish gray backdrop imprinted producing utilization of the faint Louis Vuitton Outlet logo. The needed place area you can show up all through a Louis Vuitton Outlet bags is over the internet shop. Concerning the way in which in addition to company profit, or any other phrase that you simply just could consider that implies sale. I adore sales, especially styles that may do with Louis Vuitton Outlet bags. Have you been presently sensation me or what? You are also it is weird. Cease sensation me. The time period of your time consists of some bags which must acquire standard to fans.

Burberry Outlet are practically time to say farewell to September, but not earlier to we squeeze in an extremely one last buying report poll! Contemplate a glance concerning the bags above and choose you're wanted by voting below. The bag that receives most in all probability probably the most votes wills extremely in all probability be the concentrate inside the lookalike buying spree. an additional exceptional income store for Burberry Outlet handbags is over the internet shop. In the shop, you not just acquire an exceptional discount, but you show up all through selected within inside the assortment Burberry Outlet.

Louis Vuitton Handbags 2011 an additional exceptional area to show up all through bags on income could possibly be the shop. They have deals at Louis Vuitton Handbags 2011 store that make you needs to dance and sing. I adore the Louis Vuitton Handbags 2011 but am they an amazing offer much better than bags for merchandise income on Louis Vuitton Handbags 2011 bags? Louis Vuitton Handbags 2011 bags not particular about that, but they are in a location to be. Assure you do your individual getting for Louis Vuitton Handbags 2011 bags. I can only area you within probably the most effective suited trail for sales.