Wishing You could Live Someone Else's Life?
Ever wish you could live the other guys (or gals) life? I'm not talking about the neighbor next door, or the classmate who worked his way up to be the manager of the bank, or your brother-in-law who just won the best-in-the-state award for selling life insurance. I'm talking about someone you see on TV. Someone who makes a ton of money, drives an expensive car, lives in a mini-mansion, has a spouse who looks like a movie star and is heir to the Microsoft fortune.
Reality shows have become the new cash-cows of the television industry. They are - supposely - an on-camera peek at someone who lives the good life. He or she simply goes through the same actions as they normally do, and we get to watch. And because this person actually exists-because the show is reality based-what we see must be real, right?
It's amazing how much frustration and even envy these types of shows generate. A recent survey found a large percentage of viewers actually compare their own lives to these over-hyped reality stars, asking "why can't I be more successful, better looking, live in a great place, with career, friends and a family who thinks I walk on water...like...like...like the guy on that reality show?" But keep this in mind: For every reality-show-based astronomical success that is real, there are a hundred that are not (most of which you never see).
These (reality) shows should be viewed as nothing more than entertainment. Believe it to be anything else (the truth?) and you're buying into the very fantasy that the producers and sponsors were hoping for.
Here's a couple of examples from our own (real estate) industry. Remember the TV show "Flip this house"? The original (now re-named The Real Estate Pros) revolved around this good 'ol southern boy (Richard Davis) who seemed to have the midas touch when it came to real estate. It was fun, interesting, and Davis had a personality so loaded with rapport skills that he brought viewers back week after week to see what kind of mischief he would get into next (and how much money he would make while doing it.).
Because of the show's success, the format was used to create several similiar shows that showcased other investors who were supposely also - and equally successful. In one series, (in this case, a man and wife team) the experts would search for run down homes to buy that could be remodeled and/or updated and then sold. According to the story line of these episodes, this particular couple was shown being very successful at their business - selling their remodeled properties on a regular basis and for a healthy profit. In reality, it turns out that many of their properties were never completed and only a few selected rooms were shown on camera to give the impression that the propety was ready for market. Obviously, the assumption that these homes sold for big profits was also false.
Here's another example: Last year's reality series called "Million Dollar Listing" followed the lives of three competitive real estate agents. They were young men (early twenties), made incomes in the high six figures, and appeared to be permanent fixtures in LA's collection of movers and shakers. The reality? One of the boy wonders, Josh Flagg (not the arrogant one with the mushroom haircut or the model-looking other one. Got it?) has got big problems. It seems he was accused of stealing artwork from his rich clients' homes. Currently under investigation for theft by the LA city attorney and the FBI, an initial investigation found several missing objects inside Flagg's home. Can you imagine what kind of future he has in store? Want to trade places with him?
Many media touted fortunes are little more than a flash in the pan. But we seldom hear about the contract that gets canceled, or the once-famous TV or movie star who was forced into bankruptcy and/or foreclosure. And it happens far more frequently than you might imagine.
The bottom line? Give yourself a break. Stop comparing yourself to others, expecially those whose lives - and success - is probably more imagined than real. Certainly seek out advice from mentors and learn from the examples of the truly successful, but leave the envy and jealousy out of the equation. It won't add up in your favor.
Posted at 12:20AM Jul 26, 2009 by Jill Reid in General |
