Author: Dr. Ajit Varwandkar
You have seen screen heroes doing larger-than-life actions in movies. How incredible it is to see actor Mr Rajnikant do those gunfire acrobat scenes! Many of us enjoy watching such films in the theatre or binge-watching on television channels. This entertainment habit is irrespective of the fact that most of the time, the content presented to us through these media does not sound genuine. It definitely does not match real life. Nevertheless, the fact remains that one gets relaxed and refreshed after watching such content.
Watch a documentary on some social challenge; you may come out of the hall stressed! Did you ever give a thought to this peculiarity of human nature? Why should one feel destressed after watching unrealistic stories and animated depictions? Likewise, why should a false and promising story make one happy and encouraged?
After all, why do we enjoy such unrealistic depictions!! The answer is while watching such content, we temporarily suspend our disbelief! Yes, that’s true. People watch movies and forget the reality of life. They start associating themselves with the reel characters. Sometimes, people engage with the made-up word so much that they begin expressing emotions like anger, sorrow etc. Such a connection can not be experienced by a person who refuses to accept the hypotheticality of the story. Imagine a person sitting in the theatre, continuously criticizing the movie. If you do nothing but only find out errors in the story, you will definitely not enjoy the movie.
Planning for growth has a considerable similarity. Suppose we wish to enjoy life and excel. In that case, the prerequisite is to imagine the so-called impossible to be realistically possible. It is a must for us to suspend our disbelief system because that does nothing but ignite irreversible doubts. When you are in two minds about a situation, your energy splits into many fractions. The end result is much lesser than what you wanted it to be!
When Laddu Pinto wanted to author a book and launch it in the market, he had a thousand confusions. A wave of contradictory thoughts stormed his mind. He asked me many disappointing questions to me. What if I need help writing something good? How embarrassing would it be if I could not convince a publisher? What if people do not like my work? I may lose money as well as my reputation! Should I risk this venture knowing very well that there is enormous scope for failure?
While counselling, I asked Laddu to recall the last movie he watched and actually liked a lot. In a detailed study, we found that the film was a happy ending story. However, the good feeling at the end was delivered by some impossible-sounding anti-climax scenes in the movie. Laddu realized that he enjoyed the movie and felt happy because he decided to ignore the unrealistic moments of that movie.
Likewise, I suggested him suspend his disbelief for some time and start believing in the success of his book idea. At least when you are in the planning and visualizing stage for any project, you must calm down the disbelief monster. Be ready to accept all kinds of miracles and unreasonable benefits when you pen down those plans. When Laddu rejected the thoughts of disbelief, it became easy and fast for him to write the book.
Significant achievements come to those who have the audacity to think big and craft goals with belief. As a coach, I see many people having huge dreams. However, only a few get to accomplish those. Assuming their project to be prospective and right, the only reason for failure is the fire of disbelief! Here the keywords are “with a belief”.
It is said that your future is as good or bad as you may visualize it. If the rule of life is so simple, why not go with the flow and Think Big – with belief!
Do contact me in case you have any career queries.
Dr. Ajit Varwandkar is the Director of myaglakadam.com. He is a leading career counselor and can be contacted on 9826132972 or email him at info@fsindia.in
This column was originally published by the author in The Times of India