Crafting Your Reality Distortion Field
Crafting Your Reality Distortion Field
Why feeling 'crazy' might just be your greatest asset as an innovator
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Sometimes, as an entrepreneur, I feel like I'm going crazy.
I see a future that doesn't exist yet and I'm pouring my heart and soul into building something that most people don't understand or believe in yet.
There are days when I wonder if I'm the one who's out of touch with reality...
But then I remember: this feeling isn't a bug, it's a feature.
It's what Steve Jobs' team at Apple called the "reality distortion field."
Jobs was known for pushing the limits. He'd constantly test the boundaries of what seemed possible, setting ambitious deadlines and demanding the extraordinary.
While Jobs' intensity often rubbed people the wrong way, the "reality distortion field" fueled the creation of revolutionary products like the Macintosh and iPhone.
Jobs wasn't alone in this approach. From Walt Disney's magical kingdoms to Jeff Bezos's e-commerce empire, history was written by innovators who saw beyond the current reality and willed a new one into existence.
They all shared a common trait: the ability to craft and maintain a powerful reality distortion field.
The Mindset That Bends Reality
At its core, a reality distortion field is a mindset.
It's an unwavering belief in your idea, so strong that you begin to live as if it already exists.
This belief becomes your new reality, one where your innovation isn't just possible - it's inevitable.
Creating something new is hard. It's always easier to accept things as they are, to go with the flow.
But true innovation requires breaking free from the gravity of the status quo.
That's where the reality distortion field comes in.
This field gives you the energy to overcome inertia, to push past the comfort of the familiar. It's not about logic or reason - those alone won't fuel the creative fire needed to bring something truly new into the world.
Instead, it's about cultivating a deep, emotional belief that your work must be done.
Building Your Own Reality Distortion Field
So how do you create this field? Here are four key strategies:
Visualize your success daily. See your idea as a reality. Feel its impact. Yes, it's a bit woo-woo. But there's a reason visualization plays a central role in the training of many of the world's top athletes. Summoning greatness requires a deep belief you can win.
Set ambitious goals that stretch your perception of what's possible. Design your growth trajectory. As Leo Burnett put it "When you reach for the stars, you might not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either."
Surround yourself with believers who share your vision - their faith will reinforce your own and protect you from the burden of most people's doubt.
Embrace failure, stay curious, and keep learning. Each setback is a lesson, not a reason to quit. In fact, if some experiments aren't failing or some people aren't telling you "no", you're not maximizing your odds of success.
Thriving in Your Distorted Reality
Living in this distorted reality isn't easy.
Most people won't understand what you're doing or why you're doing it.
You'll face doubt, skepticism, maybe even ridicule. But that's okay.
Your job as an innovator is to create, even when others don't get it.
Especially when others don't get it.
Consider James Dyson, who went through 5,126 failed prototypes before finally creating his revolutionary vacuum cleaner. His unwavering belief in his idea, despite years of setbacks, is a perfect example of a reality distortion field at work.
Your reality distortion field doesn't just affect you - it influences those around you.
When Howard Schultz first pitched the idea of bringing Italian-style coffee shops to America, many thought it was ridiculous. But his unwavering belief in the concept of Starbucks inspired his team to turn that vision into a global phenomenon.
By consistently communicating your vision and showing absolute commitment, you pull others into your reality. This shared belief can drive a team to extraordinary achievements, turning your distorted reality into the new normal.
Harnessing the Power, Avoiding the Pitfalls
A well-crafted reality distortion field is your secret weapon for innovation. But a word of caution: while powerful, this field must be wielded wisely.
It's easy to become too disconnected from current reality, leading to poor decisions or strained relationships.
To keep your field in check:
Regularly test your assumptions against real-world data
Stay open to feedback
Be mindful of your mental health and relationships along the way
Remember: every world-changing innovation started as someone's "distorted" view of reality.
That feeling of craziness? It's not a sign that you're out of touch with reality. It's a sign that you're creating a new one.
Embrace it. Nurture it.
After all, the future belongs to those who transform the impossible into the inevitable.
Until next time,
Patrick
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