The Reality Reclamation Playbook

If you’ve read my thoughts on “The Death of Reality,” you might be wondering: “Okay, but how do I actually put this into practice?” I get it. Theory is great, but we need actionable steps. So I’ve created this playbook to help you reclaim your version of reality and success. Let’s break this down into manageable pieces.

Section 1: Reality Check Assessment

Before we create new patterns, let’s understand where you are now. Take 15 minutes to answer these questions honestly:

Current State Audit:

1. List your top 3 business goals. Next to each, write “Mine” or “Borrowed”
2. What aspects of your business bring you genuine joy?
3. Which parts of your business do you maintain only because you think you “should”?
4. What would success look like if no one else was watching?

Value Alignment Exercise:

1. Write down your top 5 personal values
2. Rate how well your current business activities align with each value (1-10)
3. Identify which business activities feel most misaligned with your values

Section 2: Noise Reduction Protocol

Step 1: Information Diet

• Unsubscribe from 3 newsletters that make you feel inadequate
• Choose only 2 business mentors/voices to follow
• Set specific times for social media/business content consumption
• Create a “success noise” journal to track when external voices trigger self-doubt

Step 2: Reality Filters Create these three lists:

1. “My True North” – Your non-negotiable business values
2. “Not For Me” – Popular business strategies you consciously choose to ignore
3. “Maybe Later” – Ideas you’re interested in but aren’t right for now

Section 3: Creating Your Success Metrics

Personal Success Dashboard:

1. Financial Metrics (Choose 2-3):
   • Monthly revenue that feels sustainable
   • Profit margin that allows for comfort
   • Savings goals that align with your lifestyle
2. Impact Metrics (Choose 2-3):
   • Number of clients helped
   • Quality of client results
   • Community impact measures
3. Lifestyle Metrics (Choose 2-3):
   • Work hours per week
   • Family/personal time
   • Stress levels
   • Energy after work

Section 4: Decision-Making Framework

When facing business decisions, run them through these filters:

The Reality Check Questions:

1. Does this align with my version of success?
2. Am I doing this because I want to or because I think I should?
3. Will this bring me closer to or further from my ideal day?
4. Does this energize me or drain me?
5. Can I sustain this long-term?

Section 5: Building Your Support System

Create Your Reality Support Team:

1. Identify 2-3 business owners who share your values
2. Form a “reality check” mastermind
3. Find an accountability partner who respects your version of success
4. List safe spaces where you can be honest about your business journey

Section 6: Weekly Reality Maintenance

Schedule these regular check-ins:

Monday Morning Reality Check:

• Review your true goals for the week
• Identify potential “noise” triggers
• Set boundaries for the week

Friday Afternoon Reflection:

• Celebrate wins (especially the small ones)
• Note when you stayed true to your values
• Identify moments you felt pulled off course
• Adjust next week’s plans accordingly

Section 7: Permission Slips

Write yourself permission slips for:

1. Growing at your own pace
2. Saying no to “should do” activities
3. Defining success differently than others
4. Changing your mind
5. Being proud of “small” achievements

Section 8: Emergency Reality Toolkit

When feeling overwhelmed by external pressure:

1. Return to your “True North” list
2. Review your permission slips
3. Connect with your reality support team
4. Revisit your successful moments journal
5. Take a 24-hour “noise break”

Implementation Guide:

Week 1: Complete Sections 1 & 2

• Do the Reality Check Assessment
• Start your information diet
• Create your three lists

Week 2: Complete Sections 3 & 4

• Define your success metrics
• Practice using the decision-making framework

Week 3: Complete Sections 5 & 6

• Build your support system
• Implement weekly check-ins

Week 4: Complete Sections 7 & 8

• Write your permission slips
• Create your emergency toolkit

Remember, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Use this playbook as a living document – something you can return to, adjust, and grow with. The goal isn’t to get it all right immediately but to gradually build a business that feels authentically yours.

And hey, if some of these exercises don’t resonate with you? Skip them. Remember, that’s the whole point – you get to choose what works for you. This is your playbook, and you have full permission to adapt it to your reality.