Internalizing the views of others results in a failure to take risks, like the hypothetical case of 'Myrtle' who refused to learn how to drive because she believed what her children told her, that she knew nothing about cars (Sherfield 36). Don't rely solely on others for self-assessments suggests Sherfield.

What is 'realistic' may differ for both authors. For Brown, realistic may be more in the sense of measurable outcomes, while realistic for Sherfield means a sense of self that is motivating, that doesn't encourage the individual to aim for the stars, but still enables him or her to get out of bed and live a happy, productive life. Reaching for the stars takes smaller goals and concrete, proactive steps in the world and achieving a sense of efficacy and self-mastery and control, even if human beings may have less control over their outcomes in life. Having a sense of...
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