Life Coaching Tip: If you are hiding behind the identity of being a “realist” as a means of staying tucked safely inside your comfort zone, it’s time to give up this story. Truth is, it’s just as “realistic” to think about and take action from a place of your unlimited potential, really even more so, than imposing limits on yourself.
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Those of us who live in Northeast Ohio have recently had the pleasure of enjoying warm, spring-like weather, and it’s been amazing!
Of course, this makes my morning walks even more delightful, helping me to feel a bit lighter without my heavy winter coat and boots. And on these walks, I’ve begun noticing the subtle changes of spring all around me.
Happily, the woods are no longer still and silent.
The birds are partying in the treetops, singing, calling, and squawking like nobody’s business. And the other critters are active and busy too, stepping out from their winter hideaways to look for a bite to eat.
And almost all the ice that had covered the lake has disappeared. The sound of the waves sometimes trickling, other times roaring, can be heard as they hit the shore.
All of this has inspired me to think about the miracles of springtime!
Soon, flocks of birds and butterflies will migrate in from the south, somehow knowing their way back to their summer homes.
And the woods will be decorated with the stunning beauty of wildflowers that sprout from exploding seeds, and colorful blossoms that burst from tiny buds will cover the now bare branches of the trees.
And of course, so much more!
Every bit of it a miracle, compliments of Mother Nature.
And don’t even get me started on the celestial movement of the Earth as it orbits the sun, making this all possible. Simply mind-blowing, right?
And when I reflect on all of this, I can’t help but think about how ridiculous it is that we humans (myself included) sometimes put such tight limits on ourselves and all that is possible.
When a client says to me, “I’m just a realistic person,” as a means to justify their limitations, I share this truth with them: We create our own reality.
Truly, if you don’t believe something is possible, it won’t be for you.
And this isn’t always well received at first, because most of us want to hold onto our excuses. They give a false sense of security, a reason for staying in our comfort zone.
Many of us were raised to believe that being a “realist” means focusing on our fears about all that can go wrong when we envision a change. From the time we were small, we’ve been encouraged to stay inside of the box for the sake of “safety”.
But considering what actually is happening all around us, this version of “realism” seems rather absurd.
Seriously, how can we hold onto such a narrow view of “reality” knowing that a giant sycamore tree originates from a teeny, tiny seed, or that geese fly thousands of miles to migrate in “V” formation?
I want to thank Mother Nature big time for not being “realistic” every time I see a dazzling sunrise or gorgeous sunset.
And it’s not just Mother Nature who challenges the status quo.
If you think about it, every advancement on this planet (and beyond) has originated from a place of “unrealistic” thinking and action.
Consider what people might have said to Alexander Graham Bell about his crazy ideas in the 1870’s before he invented the telephone at the age of 29. Or what they might have thought about the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, regarding their wild ideas to build a machine that would fly in the sky!
I imagine most folks must have thought they were bananas, right?
I am sharing these thoughts with you today because if you are hiding behind the identity of being a “realist” as a means of staying tucked safely inside your comfort zone, I want to lovingly call you out.
You have too many gifts and talents to keep them squandered away.
It’s just as “realistic” to think about and take action from a place of unlimited potential, really even more so, than imposing limits on yourself.
And if you are already venturing out into unchartered territory, shine on, my friend!
Be sure to thank those who tell you that you’re not being “realistic” because you’re in good company. The history books are filled with stories about people just like you!
And of course, there’s Mother Nature, the most epic, original, “unrealistic” badass of them all!
Knowing… a little more: Tap in and Trust Yourself