The Reported World
the Created World

Have you ever felt trapped by the options life presents to you—like you’re stuck picking from a limited “menu” that doesn’t feel right for you? It’s a feeling that plagues many ambitious leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators who know they’re capable of more but find themselves held back by predefined rules, expectations, or structures.

We live in a world that often encourages us to settle. It rewards conformity and sticking to what’s “on the menu.” This is what I call the Reported World—a reality shaped by what already exists, what’s been handed to you, or what society has deemed acceptable. But this way of living can leave you feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and disconnected from your true potential.

What if you didn’t have to settle for what’s available? What if you could create your own menu?

Over the next 4 minutes, I take you through how you can get used to being in the “Created World” so you can create the outcomes you deeply desire, regardless if others deem them “impossible.”

Think about it: How often do we settle for the “reported” version of life?

This mindset doesn’t just limit your potential—it keeps you stuck in a cycle of frustration and doubt. When you live solely in the Reported World, you’re letting someone else’s vision dictate your choices. Over time, this robs you of your confidence, energy, and ability to truly lead.

And here’s the harsh truth: Many people never leave the Reported World. They remain stuck, picking from a menu someone else created, unaware that a different possibility exists. But leaders—the true creators of life—are the ones who venture into the Created World, a realm of possibility they define and build for themselves.

Dinner at the Burj Al Arab

I love sharing this story that illustrates this distinction.

It was December 2015, and I was in Dubai with three friends. To celebrate one friend’s birthday, we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at the Burj Al Arab, a seven-star hotel known for its luxury and exclusivity. Dressed in our finest, we were seated in the dining room, browsing the menu and placing our orders.

One of my friends (let’s call him Peter) is vegetarian, and to his dismay, there weren’t many options on the menu that appealed to him. So, when the waiter came to take our order, Peter asked if he could have bruschetta.

The waiter’s response was immediate: “I’m sorry, sir. It’s not on the menu.”

Peter, undeterred, didn’t accept this as the final answer. Instead, he asked a series of questions: “Do you have bread? Do you have tomatoes? Basil? Garlic? Vinegar? Pepper?” The waiter nodded to each.

“Great,” Peter said. “Then where’s the kitchen? I’ll make it myself.”

At this moment, the penny dropped for the waiter. He realised that the ingredients were there, and the only thing missing was the idea and possibility of putting them together. The waiter went to ask the chef, and a few minutes later, Peter had his bruschetta.

What’s the lesson here? The menu—the Reported World—told Peter it wasn’t possible. But he didn’t settle. Through his creativity and resourcefulness, he stepped into the Created World and made it happen through language. He didn’t just pick from the menu—he wrote his own.

The distinction between the Reported World and the Created World goes far beyond a dining experience. It applies to every area of life: your career, your relationships, your creative projects, and your leadership.

Leaders who create something extraordinary aren’t following the script—they’re writing it. They’re asking the questions no one else is asking. They are bending reality to align with their deepest desires.

But as you know, it’s far easier said than done particularly when, every day, we feel the pull of the Reported World trying to bring us back to their reality.

5 Practical Tips: Moving From the Reported World to the Created World

Life doesn’t have to be limited to what’s “on the menu.” The Reported World is just one version of reality—a version handed to you by others. But the Created World is infinite, and it’s yours to design. It’s a reality you can create, first in your mind, then in physical form.

The question is: Are you willing to step into the kitchen of your mind and get cooking?

This requires shifting your attention from external stories (the market is tough right now, cost of living is high, no one is hiring) to crafting your internal narrative (there is opportunity everywhere, clients are everywhere, I am creating the outcomes I desire).

Remember, the most extraordinary leaders and creators aren’t the ones who follow the external narrative—they’re the ones who rewrite them.

Start creating your world today, one possibility at a time.

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