Being Realistic is a Key Ingredient to Success, According to Psychologists
Is dreaming big detrimental to achieving your goals?
We all have childhood fantasies. When you were 10 did you want to be a pop sensation? President of the United States? Or a spaceman?
Over time, and as we grow up, we get in better touch with reality and our own limitations. We come to realize that other things must take priority, and these often hinder our ability to chase those dreams.
Some of us achieve those childlike dreams. But most of us have to settle for something less than we had originally hoped.
Achieving all of our dreams seems impossible. So, in some sense, our own happiness relies on us being satisfied with less & settling for second best.
In my friendship group, I’m very much the realist. The decisions I make are grounded in what I think is possible — and I’m the first to spot when a suggestion made won’t work.
That doesn’t mean I’m a pessimist. I have dreams, I’m just realistic about my abilities, and what is possible given my circumstances. And, according to Psychologists, it’s actually a good thing that I carry this behavioral trait — because it’s a key ingredient that’s needed to succeed.