Why ‘Be Realistic’ Is the Worst Advice You’ll Ever Hear

If there’s one piece of advice that tells you everything about someone, it’s when they say: “Be realistic.”

In that moment, they’re showing you exactly how they see the world:

• They believe we’re all locked on the paths we’re on.

• They think there’s no getting off them.

• Better life? Don’t expect it.

• Dreams? Pack them away.

• Your income? It’s not going to get any better.

They’ll look at you as if they’re handing down some great life wisdom, but here’s the truth: they’re far from wise.

If you asked them what “realistic” actually means, they’d point to their own life and the lives of the people around them. That’s their definition of realistic.

But if their version of life was the standard, the whole world would look the same:

• Everyone stuck in rush hour traffic,

• Working a 9-5 they hate,

• Living lives they’ve convinced themselves are “normal.”

And yet, that’s not reality.