Suspend Your Disbelief, Don't Let Realistic Destroy Your Hunger for Achievement.💣

Published: Thu, 01/12/23

Being Realistic is the Most Commonly Traveled Road to Mediocrity.

Will Smith

In my humble opinion, It’s just not possible to be a realist and also be a great speculative fiction writer. You must be able to go beyond what others consider reality but just far enough not to be considered fantasy. A willing suspension of disbelief is essential in fiction and allows the audience to fully engage with the story being told. When you, Gentle Reader, can suspend your disbelief, you can fully immerse yourself in the story, becoming more emotionally invested in the characters and the plot.

Become Emotionally Invested and Suspend Your Disbelief.

That is a difficult feat to accomplish as a writer, and in the world outside of the pages just as tricky. I’m sure somewhere out there on this amazing planet, some creative individuals adhere to the idea of being real and still produce breathtaking work. For most of us, realism is too stifling to produce memorable work; we need to throw off those chains and soar.
We need to suspend our disbelief.

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Outside of our creative work, being realistic can be a helpful and important mindset. It can help us set achievable goals and make informed decisions within reason. However, when taken to the extreme, being overly realistic can actually destroy our ambition and prevent us from pursuing our dreams. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Because without balance, it can limit our thinking and imagination. When we are constantly focused on the practical and probable, we may not consider all the possible options or consider the “what ifs” in life. As much as we give the impression that we have our shit worked out, there are times when we are faced with opportunities that could propel us forward, make our situation unchanged or drag us back. If we don’t try the improbable, we could miss out on opportunities that could have been transformative.

Another handicap of being too realistic is that it can cause us to settle for less than what we truly want. When we focus too much on what is “realistic” or “practical,” we may end up convincing ourselves that our dreams are out of reach or not worth pursuing. This can lead to a sense of resignation or even despair as we give up on our aspirations and settle for a life that falls short of our potential.

So, what can we do to find the right balance between being realistic and maintaining our ambition? Here are a few tips:

Don’t be afraid to dream big: It’s important to have ambitious goals and aspirations, even if they initially seem far-fetched or unrealistic. Keep an open mind and allow yourself to dream and imagine all the possibilities.
Break your goals down into smaller, achievable steps: While it’s essential to have big dreams, it’s also important to have a plan for how to achieve them. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps and take things one step at a time. You may not have all the answers, but the path will become clearer by taking action.
Surround yourself with positive and supportive people: Seek supportive friends, family and mentors who will lift you up and help you stay motivated.
Don’t let setbacks discourage you: Challenges and setbacks will inevitably come along the way. Don’t let them make you lose sight of your ambition. Instead, learn from them and use them as opportunities to grow and improve.

Realism is overrated, my friends. Why settle for what’s considered achievable when you can strive for something greater? After all, you and I, Gentle Reader, are tiny specks on a massive rock hurtling through the vast expanse of space. And here we are, able to almost instantaneously communicate and share ideas across the face of the planet. We would not be where we are now if we accepted what seemed impossible. Let’s not limit ourselves by accepting the mundane and predictable. Suspend your disbelief. Embrace the extraordinary and aim for the stars.