Unrealistic kids are the ones who distance themselves from the pack of mediocrity.
“Don’t teach kids to be realistic.
Realistic people are average.
They are the same as every other undifferentiated realistic person.
Teach kids to be unrealistic.
To develop unrealistic ambition, unrealistic discipline, unrealistic drive.
Watch them sprint from the pack.”
-Ray Zingler on X
Adults will tell kids they can accomplish their dreams.
Do what they want to do.
Be who they want to be.
That “Anything is possible!”
But the vast majority of adults don’t mean this.
They didn’t and still don’t live it.
They just say it because it sounds good to say.
Notice how most of this faux “inspiration” comes from people who didn’t accomplish their dreams?
Folks who aren’t doing what they want to do, who aren’t who they wanted to be.
And while “anything is possible” it most certainly wasn’t for them.
Kids see this.
They hear the words, but they see the tangible, self-imposed limitations.
Day after day after day.
And watching you not “fulfill your purpose” is conditioning them to believe they can’t fulfill theirs, that is, if they can even find their purpose in the first place.
We need to stop teaching kids to be “realistic”.
We teach kids to be realistic because it’s most comfortable for adults. It’s what most adults resonate with.
Because, well, they’re realistic.
But here’s the deal:
Realistic people are average.
Undifferentiated.
Limited.
Unfulfilled.
I’m not saying you can’t live an ordinary life being realistic.
You can get a salary, 2-weeks paid vacation, and a few benefits, but is that what “life is all about?”
I sure as hell don’t think so.
Teach kids to be unrealistic.
To have unrealistic ambition.
To have unrealistic discipline.
To have unrealistic drive.
To do this, you have to have it yourself.
You can’t just tell them about it.
You have to live it.
And it doesn’t matter what it is.
Can you find it in your career?
Your hobby?
The way you treat people?
There are so many simple opportunities out there that you can attack with ferocious, unrealistic, intensity to lead by example. You simply must seek them.
You have to.
If you don’t you can expect your kids to grow up seeking a comfortable, undifferentiated life.
And guess what?
Those who lead comfortable, undifferentiated lives don’t become leaders.
They aren’t difference makers.
They are the same as every other average person ever.
Folks who go against the grain often rub people the wrong way.
But it’s only because they can’t relate to what it actually takes to be different.
