We put people on a pedestal to feel closer to them, whereas, it does the opposite – it creates a gap. Idealizing = living in ficion.

Have you ever found yourself looking up to someone, admiring them from afar, thinking they have it all together? Maybe it's a celebrity, a mentor, or even a friend who seems to have everything figured out. We often put these individuals on a pedestal, elevating them to a status above ourselves in an attempt to feel closer to them, to emulate their success or perceived perfection. But what if I told you that this pedestal we place them on actually creates a gap between us, rather than bringing us closer together?

Think of it like this: imagine you're standing at the base of a towering mountain, gazing up at its majestic peak. From where you stand, the summit seems like an unreachable dream, bathed in an aura of perfection and unattainability. You might idolize that mountain, marveling at its grandeur and beauty, but the reality is, the more you idealize it, the more distant it becomes.

ELEVATE
Free Resource: A step-by-step blueprint to realize your dreams

In the same way, when we idealize people, we're essentially turning them into unreachable mountains in our minds. We paint them with qualities and attributes that seem flawless, forgetting that they too are human, flawed and imperfect, just like us. This idealization creates a barrier between us and them, a gap that widens with every unrealistic expectation we place upon them.

The danger of living in this realm of fiction, where we idealize others, is that we lose sight of their humanity. We forget that behind the polished facade lies a person with struggles, insecurities, and failures just like our own. We fail to see them for who they truly are, flaws and all, and instead, we cling to an illusion of perfection that ultimately leaves us feeling disconnected and disillusioned.

But what if we were to step down from our pedestal, to meet others on equal ground? What if we were to acknowledge their humanity, with all its complexities and imperfections, and recognize that we are all on this journey of life together, navigating its ups and downs as best we can? By doing so, we bridge the gap that idealization creates, forging genuine connections built on authenticity and empathy.

Imagine if, instead of idolizing the mountain, you were to climb it alongside others, sharing in the triumphs and challenges of the journey. You would no longer see it as an unattainable dream, but rather as a tangible goal, achievable through perseverance and solidarity. Similarly, when we see others as equals rather than idols, we realize that the summit of success is not reserved for the few, but open to all who are willing to put in the effort and support each other along the way.

So, the next time you find yourself placing someone on a pedestal, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself why you're idealizing them and what it says about your own insecurities and desires. And remember, true connection is not found in elevating others above ourselves, but in standing beside them as equals, embracing our shared humanity and lifting each other up along the journey of life.

In conclusion, let's strive to live authentically, free from the constraints of idealization. Let's tear down the pedestals we've erected in our minds and embrace the beauty of human connection in all its messy, imperfect glory. Only then can we truly experience the richness and depth of relationships that nourish our souls and bring meaning to our lives.

Now, reflect on a person you may have idealized in the past. What steps can you take to see them more authentically and build a genuine connection with them?

***

ELEVATE
Free Resource: Over 1000 smart goal ideas to inspire your life

* To gain more inspiration and motivation for your personal growth journey, I recommend visiting my SMART goals page, which offers a wide range of goal ideas to help you establish new aspirations and achieve greater success in life. This list was crucial in the development of my own life goals list, consisting of 100 goals that I pursued for ten years.

Reading is Smart. Applying is Smarter:  Apply
Subscribe on YouTube to get more wisdom:  

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.

 
Actualize Your Potential
Get my simplified process for realizing dreams (The exact process that enabled me to achieve 100 life goals in 10 years)
GET IT FREE:
Access my Start With WHY workbook for free, designed to guide you toward your purpose and the person you are meant to become
expert_advice
Align With Your Why
Elevate In Your Inbox
Get actionable insights, best practices, and wisdom you can apply — No hype, No fluff. Just practical ideas that might change your life.

Read The Art of Fully Living

There's no going back-once you embark on the journey you're meant to live, it's impossible to settle for anything less than your dreams.

Click here to learn more

Set Better Goals

Learn a better and smarter approach to setting and achieving goals. It's not just about what you want to achieve, but who you must become in the process.

Click here to learn more
Take The Free Test
Discover your areas for growth in just 5 minutes. Take the FREE self-evaluation test and pinpoint where to focus your efforts

Uplevel Your Game

Explore The Roadmaps

Access a self-paced online roadmap that turns big goals into realities, complete with daily study guides, actionable steps, and proven practices from the world's best minds
Reclaim your freedom, escape 9-5, and live the life you were meant to live — A self-paced roadmap with daily study guides, actionable steps, and proven practices

Explore The All-Access

Unlock unlimited, lifetime access to a growing library of actionable knowledge and study guides from the world's top minds.
Join The Accelerator
Join a 10-week, personalized immersion that will accelerate your goal-attainment, elevate you to your next level, and turn your big dreams into reality.
Learn More
Contact
Thanks for reading. It makes a difference. A portion of all proceeds from our endeavors supports entrepreneurs in the developing world. View Impact...