Are you an idealist?
According to the formal definition, an idealist is a visionary who pursues high purposes and goals; someone that continually strives for what is possible regardless of what the current reality may be.
Or, in plain English … an idealist is someone that goes for what they really want and believes they are going to get it regardless of what the people around them may say and regardless of if what they want seems far fetched.
Idealists are true believers in possibilities.
So, would you say that you are an idealist?
Well, the reality is we were all born to be idealists.
We were always supposed to understand our potential and everything we are really capable of and allow that understanding to continually push us to go for what we really want.
Our idealism is supposed to be a constant source of motivation and inspiration to keep pushing us forward.
- It is supposed to keep us from breaking (and even bending).
- It is supposed to keep us from becoming cynical or losing confidence in our abilities.
- It is supposed to keep us believing in the abilities of the people around us to also accomplish great things.
But, let’s be real, being an idealist is not always easy.
It’s tough to always keep our heads up and believe in all that is possible, especially when life or other people may be giving us reasons to doubt that truth.
The doubts can really set in and your idealism can be put to the test, especially during …
those times when you want something so badly and work so hard, but at the end of the day, you come up short …
those times when you finally get what you want, but then look up and it is no longer there and has slipped through your fingers …
those times when you feel completely overwhelmed by life and everything going on around you.
That is when the real doubts come bubbling to the surface and if you allow it to happen, your idealism is chipped away at bit by bit.
And, that’s why we have to continually make sure our idealism is kept in tact at all times and repair any damage we may notice. We can’t let it be chipped away at and look up one day and realize we have more in common with cynics and skeptics than we do with idealists.
idealism really matters
We never want to lose touch with the part of ourselves that believes in possibilities and is inspired and motivated by the fact that so many possibilities always exist.
I get it that this can be a tough world filled with obstacles, issues and defeats. And, those things can really weigh on us and challenge our idealism.
I have definitely had my fair shares of challenges and defeats and those things can really strike you at your core and test every ounce of your idealism and confidence that you can get back on your feet and start sprinting again in the right direction.
However, regardless of what is going on around you, there needs to always be an underlying sense of idealism and a belief in what is possible.
Idealism is meant to be one of the driving forces in our life and if we ever lose it or see that it is fading, we need to do everything we can to reignite and strengthen it.
We were all meant to be idealists – not blind optimists - but rather true believers in all that is always possible.
In order to accomplish all that you were meant to, in order to live in this world in an amazing way, in order to feel fulfilled, you need to have your idealism in tact and working at all times.
the possibility of today
Let TODAY be the day you realize the importance of your idealism and do everything you possibly can to embrace and strengthen it.
- Cultivate it.
- Realize there will be things and people trying to chip away at it, but as long as you always choose to believe, your idealism can overshadow any cynics, skeptics or challenges that come your way.
- Raise your expectations; strive for high ideals.
- Don’t expect disappointments and instead believe in all possibilities.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
If you have a chance, please drop by the Possibility of Today Facebook Page. I just launched it this week and would love to be able to connect with you on Facebook. And of course, if you have any other comments or questions, please leave them below or send me an e-mail. I always love hearing from readers.
“I believe in you.”
and
“I am proud of you.”
This I truly say.
…say this onto yourself.
…say this onto others.
Hello Sibyl,
I left the above reply at Joy’s site this morning. I borrowed some of this from Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s presentation that I was backstage for the other day. It was great that we had rear projection and audio in the back!
There are those people who we can apply these words easily to.
There are those people with whom these words may seem challenging to apply to…but on the other hand…what is there to be gained by being a cynic?
Kinda like ^chipping away^ at yourself with two hammers at the same time.
*I believe in you Sibyl*
*I am proud of you Sibyl*
Your friend,
Rand
Thanks Rand for the kind words and passing them along:)
Hi Sibyl!
I love that you differentiated between idealism and blind optimism. There have been times in the past where I’ve gotten flack for my non-complaining attitude, as some people believe that to stay positive and idealistic in trying times is to somehow be naive.
Well, my belief is that being smart, aware and reflective can go hand-in-hand with optimism.
There may be recognition and acknowledgement of a stark reality, but the landscape will only get brighter if we try our best to keep a bright outlook – and as hard as that sometimes is, it’s the only thing that can lead the way and help pull us through most successfully to the other side intact.
Great insights here as usual, Sibyl; thanks for sharing!
Tisha: I totally agree with you that there is a distinction between being an idealist and being a blind optimist. People can be too quick to write off the benefits of being an idealist, but there really are so many. Yes, you still have to be aware of what’s going on and not just go into denial, but you are so much better off to look at things from the right perspective.
idealist people are good. they have a simply psychology..they follow..then they lead..
So true. Thanks Jaky for the comment and for stopping by. Here’s to being an idealist:)
Thank you Sibyl for this article! Our own thoughts in our heads (from perceptions we have gathered throughout life) can stop us dead in our tracks. I do feel I am an idealist now, but it was not always like that. I am so thankful that I allowed myself and made the choice to grow!
I am glad that you made that choice too. It really is how we were designed and meant to live. The quicker we figure that out, the sooner we can really move in the direction we are supposed to and accomplish what is most important to us.
I, too, like the helpful distinction between idealism and blind optimism. I have done lots of things that people told me couldn’t be done because I held onto my own confidence and belief that I could find a way. Great post. Thanks.
Galen: That really is what it is all about. Holding on to your confidence and just continue to push forward in the direction you believe in. Thanks so much for the comment and sharing your wisdom
Well to quote Churchill – ‘never never never never give up’ . That comes after having coffee with a dear friend who just got back from a 3 week vacation in Norway. He’s 86 and wheelchair bound.
Riley
What an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing it Riley and for stopping by. It is so true. It is all about never giving up and going for what you want. Thanks for the comment.
Ideally I have the imagination & the follow thru to get to where I want to go.
Thank you Sibyl &
be good to yourself
David
I know you do
It’s all about knowing that is true and then going for it. Thanks for the comment and dropping by David.
You give wise advice when you say we must make sure our idealism is in tact, and repair any damage it may suffer as soon as we notice it. Proverbs tells us to guard our heart, for it determines the course of our life.
I’d rather dream big and reach some of my goals, than strive for little and get all of it.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Janette: Wow…now those are some powerful words … I’d rather dream big and reach some of my goals, than strive for little and get all of it. I am going to totally have to quote you on that one. I hope you don’t mind
It really hits the nail squarely on the head. We have to dram big and be bold. That is really how we get what we want.
Sibyl,
I can only count you as one of my blessings. Your post came to me today, and honestly, I can’t think of a day I was more ready to read this.
You have such a beautiful way to put words and thoughts together for us to see and read. To absorb and reaffirm these true thoughts and right ways.
I have been in this completely sweet spot inside myself since I started this journey online. It is a beautiful world with so many gifted wonderful and good people in it. This world online has given me the gift of remembering my world is so much bigger than living day to day, year after year… alone.
I agree with your entire post and am completely grateful you had the gift inside you to put it into words. So many people (myself) just need to remember that it is ok, just keep believing, keep living in the ideal and striving to pass it on. ~Amber-Lee
Amber-Lee: Thank you so much for the kind words. I really appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to let me know that you enjoyed the post. Thank you also for sending Yomar here. What you said in your comment is so true, it really is okay to keep believing and being an idealist. I really think it is something we have to always make certain we haven’t strayed too far from and the minute we notice we have, we need to do all we can to restore our idealism and confidence. Thanks again for dropping by. It is always great to hear your thoughts.
I am certainly glad Ms. Amber-Lee introduced us. What an inspirational article! This is a topic I often return to for myself or during coaching sessions. We are born idealists but we are conditioned to see idealism as being foolishly unrealistic. I believe it was Robert Kiyosaki that said we have forgotten how to dream big. I believe a part of it is getting back in touch with the innocence of the youth, when we believed the sky was the limit. I can’t wait to read more of what you have to share. Thank you!
BTW, I’m with Rand: let’s empower others and off-set all the naysaying and negativity out there!
Hey Yomar: I am certainly glad that Ms. Amber-Lee introduced us as well
So glad that you liked the article and what you said is so true. People are so quick to label idealists as people that are foolishly unrealistic. It really is all about tapping into our innocence of youth and understanding that we are supposed to dream BIG. I am so looking forward to having you here. Thanks for stopping by 
Hi Sibyl,
I agree with you fully that it is important to hold onto our idealism. After all, everything that we have today is a result of someone else’s idealism. What would the world be like if people did not dare to believe or chase their dreams. I truly don’t want to think about it. The world we have today is built on the idealism of others. It would do us well to remember that as we hold on to our own idealism in spite of all the challenges we face.
One way to cultivate our idealism is to read the life stories of other idealists. By learning how they kept their idealism alive despite the challenges they faced, we gain their wisdom, experience and inspiration as well.
Thank you for showing us how to live today better than yesterday!
Irving the Vizier
Hey Irving: always great to hear from you. I think what you mentioned is important because we do need to have an approach that allows us to remain strong and confident and believe in ourselves and our capabilities. I appreciated your suggestion of cultivating our idealism by reading the life stories of other idealists. I think that is a great recommendation because when you can see how other idealists remain true to themselves, you really can ensure you are also doing those things in your life that will allow you to remain true to yourself. Thanks so much for the comment and for stopping by.
Sibyl,
What a great point you make differentiating a “blind” optimist from an idealist. I do consider myself an optimist but, after reading your article I would now characterize myself as more of an idealist.
I just “knew” this would all turn out for the best! LOL
So glad that you are an idealist Angela
That really is what it is all about. I think if we can hold tight to our idealism and never allow anyone to dim our light and our belief in ourselves, we are guaranteed to continually move forward in the right direction. Thanks so much for the comment and for stopping by.
Thanks Sibyl for reminding us that our possibility thinking can pull us out of our disappointments and help us rise above our status quo. The difference between the “ideal” and the “real”. Deal with the real, BUT keep our eyes on the ideal, our “North star”. Then one day, our “ideal” WILL become our “real”!
I love that Sean…That is such a great way of putting it to deal with the real, but keep our eyes on the ideal. It really is all about following your internal compass and realizing that you have within you everything you need to continually move in the right direction. Thanks so much for the comment and for stopping by.
You have to keep telling yourself “Yes” even when people and circumstances around you are saying “No”…have to keep dreaming, believing and everything that you hope for will come into fruition…Live BIG, Hope BIG and Love BIG…TODAY!
That really is exactly what it is all about. You have to allow your idealism and belief in yourself to overshadow any negativity or cynicism that may come your way. I loved how you put that … Live big, hope big and love big TODAY. If you do that, everything else will fall into place. Thanks so much for the comment Erica.
I love this Sibyl. Other people just love to attack our dreams and goals with their negativity and what they call being ‘realistic’. Well my idealism tells me that achieving our dreams IS possible and that it IS realistic to strive to make your life and the world around you better. If we have dreams and goals and idealism, anything is possible, and I’m going for it!
Thank you for the positive reinforcement and an awesome article.
Brenda
Brenda: Thanks for dropping by. So glad that you liked the post and what you said is key. We have to believe in ourselves and allow our idealism to overshadow other people’s negativity and cynicism. It is all about remaining true to yourself and not allowing anyone else to steer you off course. Thanks so much for the comment.
Questions Sibyl. Are we too caught up these days with ideology or philisophies? Are we looking for an ‘ideal’ world that we want everyone to shape via our standards and beliefs? Is idealism one big PR machine (Law of Attraction, Creative Visualisation, Dream Boards)?
There are many words for idealism – dream building, standards and values, aspirations etc but the one thing for me is that we should try to aim for being the best person that we can and that simply has to benefit the whole world? But is that too idealistic too? Discuss, I guess!
Hey John: Thanks for the thought provoking questions. I think what you questioned is interesting about what is the true definition of idealism. For me, idealism is tied to finding your own truth and having an idea of how you are supposed to follow it. As you mentioned, I think it is very consistent with being the pest person you can be and living in this world conscious of the footprints you are making every single day. Once you know what it means to follow your own truth, I think it is important to do what you know is right and not allow anyone or anything to steer you off course. Thanks for the thought provoking questions… as always
Interesting discussion, Sibyl. To be an idealist one must be ready to persist, persist persist in the face of adversity. Our Authentic-Self is a natural idealist and optimist. Unfortunately we tend to put a lot of stock into the “no’s” we hear from our Counterfeit-Self. We cannot find our Authentic-Self when caught in the Counterfeit-Selfs flood of NO. A realist-idealist knows that when you expect good things to happen and they don’t you must not look out there for reasons – look within. Watch and notice – you will find, somewhere the Counterfeit-Self behind it.
Rob: I think you hit the nail on the head, to be an idealist, you must be ready to persist in the face of adversity. It really is all about being persistent and confident that you can indeed accomplish what you really believe in. Thanks so much for the comment and dropping by.
> Our idealism is supposed to be …
I like the way you framed this as a source of power on our side to help us fight the good fight.
Thanks J.D. So glad that you liked the way I framed it and idealism really is a source of power. We should rely on it and know that is indeed the case.
You and I know, that idealist rule the earth. They think there ideas are great. They think they can achieve. They think they can do great things. They think and think and think. And boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooy, do they THINK.
Idealist believe that they can achieve and accomplish anything they put there minds to. I’am an Idealist and so are YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Time to focus on possibility guys. Walk with me…we’ll make it together…whooooo!
Thanks for the pump up speech Jonathan and the great comment. I am definitely on board and ready to walk with you
Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by. Much appreciated.
This is great. I will try to read it often for the next few weeks. I am going to need all the help I can get! Thanks for you wise words of wisdom, young lady!!
You are very welcome Gigi. So glad you enjoyed it:)
nice thought and i am glad of u
Thanks Sandesha so much for the comment and dropping by:) So glad you liked the article.