According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, a 2011 study shows a rapid decline over ages 5 to 9 in the belief that Santa Claus is real. 83% of five-year-olds believe in Santa. By age 9, only 33% do.
My guess is that it’s 0% of 33-year-olds. What a shame!
No, I haven’t lost my mind and I’m not suggesting that there really is a white-bearded guy who flies around the world delivering packages down chimneys.
Rather, I’m mourning the loss of the belief that anything is possible. As in your own life. As in your own business. As in your own career.
It’s not completely your fault. Your parents, friends and teachers beat it out of you, all with the best of intentions.
But as “foolish beliefs” were knocked out of your head they were supplanted with even more foolish beliefs that just as 8th grade follows 7th, you should get a job working for someone else and you’ll have it made. But not too fast, of course, because there are steps on the ladder to success. A – B – C. 1 – 2 – 3. Know your place. Keep your head down.
The reality is much more “unrealistic.” There’s no gravity on the ladder to success; you can jump over as many rungs as you’d like. Sure, there is someone holding you back, but that someone is you.
For 2016, dream big. Forget about setting “achievable” goals. Set some that are huge. Yes, you may not make it, but if you really think about it, haven’t you set your goals too low? Isn’t there more “you” that you can be?
If you don’t believe me, then how else can you explain the Kardashians?
