Don’t try too hard to fit a model to reality

If you try too hard to fit a model to a reality that is not agreeable with that model, you’ll end up wasting all other opportunities reality presents. When focusing on a certain model you simply avoid seeing what reality is actually offering.

For example, many people live their lives according to a model of how things are supposed to go. Studies, girlfriend, wife, work, house, family, dinners, summer cottage, golf, and suddenly quietly into death.

If you focus too hard on this model you might be missing out on what reality is telling you.

Maybe your marriage is not working out, but you are too focused on how well the marriage fits the model to realize it.

Maybe your work is not correct for you and you’re close to a burnout — but you are too focused on how well the job fits the model to notice it.

What if instead of finding what fits your model you would find what reality is. Its harder because you lose your roadmap, the model. However, you’ll find reality instead.

We create these models so easily by the stories we tell ourselves. Expectations about the future become models that we try to apply reality to. Of course, this can be a good thing when reality actually works with our model. Just be aware when this is not the case and be ready to switch models.

Thanks for reading.