In the Real World

By James W. Ahola B.A.Sc.

The other day I was at a presentation on selling where the presenter was enthusiastic, and delivered a number of valid points, many which I knew, and some I had forgotten. To help anchor his theories he gave a number of textbook cases to prove his points. After the presentation, I was having a beverage and snack with the other attendees before the next lecture. It was then that I got into a discussion with another attendee I’ll call “Mr X”. Mr X asked me what I thought of the lecture. I told him I liked it and found it quite informative. To which he responded, “well it was good but in the real world, sales don’t work like that,” and he proceeded to explain why the lecturer’s theories did not apply to his situation. Now Mr. X’s points seemed valid, but I could not get the phrase “in the real world” out of my head. I began to ponder: Does Mr. X live in a different world than the rest of us? His problems seem to be similar to mine. Does the lecturer live in a different world? But his theories seem to make sense. Could it be that there are two worlds that appear real to each individual, but that coexist as one. Now I do admit, I did watch a lot of Twilight Zone as a child. However, as outlandish and Sci-Fi as this may seem, the truth is we do live in two worlds at the same time, both of which are very real. We live in a Natural world, and a Created world which is a product of systems and processes.

Our Natural world is made up of rocks, water, vegetation, gases, sunlight, and animals. This is raw nature, which we experience to various degrees. We experience it more when we go on nature hikes, camping trips, or times at the cottage. However we never really experience this Natural world in total exclusion of the other Created world.   

In our everyday world we wear clothes, work at a desks with papers and computers, sell eyeglass frames, use cars, watch television, and so on. None of these items that are such an indispensable part of our lives occur naturally. They are all products of natural world elements that have undergone systems and processes before they become useful to you and I. For example, the basic alloy Monel, which is used in the majority of eyeglass frames around the world, is a product of a series of carefully calculated and developed processes and systems. It took numerous people and many years to develop this unique alloy, and in the process there are imperfections, waste, and areas for improvement. What is important however, is that there is a system in place by which we can transform different natural occurring basic rocks into a material from which we can begin to fabricate an eyeglass frame. As it is for eyeglass frames, so it is for every other product we use.

The importance of systems and processes also holds true and becomes much more intimate as it applies to our minds and intellect. We learn to read, write and do arithmetic through systems and processes. We learn to play sports, music, and even speak our native tongue. Everything our intellect knows, we have gained through systems and processes, some formal, some informal. Once we learn a system we usually employ it on a consistent basis and it becomes a “natural” extension of us. For example, once we know the parts of speech we apply them all the time, usually without realizing we are using a process. Even how we think and communicate is a product of the Created world’s systems and processes.

Everything around us is a compilation of the Natural and the Created world. The Natural world is basic and at first glance chaotic. Since our understanding of our natural world is not perfect, consequently no system or process we create is perfect. There is always waste, failures, and room for improvement; however through systems and processes advances are made. 

If you are at point “A” and you want to reach point “B”, wherever that may be, find a system or process that will help you, and apply it. There are systems for sales, marketing, management, relationships, finance, weight loss, weight gain; you name it, there is a system. If you consistently work and use the system you choose I can guarantee you will realize two things. 1. You will find imperfections, problems, waste, and many areas for improvement. 2. You will either achieve your goal or get closer to it than ever before.  We live in a real world which is both Natural and Created. Problems, difficulties and challenges are natural; solutions on the other hand, are always created.