IDEALISTâ„¢ THINKING STYLE
The mind of an Idealist is a marvel of bedazzling complication and bedizzying speed. Alacrity and acuity of thought processing are trademark Idealist. In terms of intellectual speed, they rank superior. Few arrive at a solution or deliver it faster, than them. While their solutions may not be the only ones nor necessarily the best, their solutions have proven best enough and often enough to sail global economies. It is not a coincidence that their brain child, the computer, thinks in like binary-fashion, as its Idealist inventor.
Few experiences return them greater pleasure than creative problem-solving: their gifted-forté. When they reach solution, Idealist sees patterns through time. Flow charts, schedules, and procedures, mentally form and click into place. While others are mentally digesting and discussing the merits of an idea, Idealist is mentally organizing and implementing. They’re architects of dreams—the managers and overseers, who shore-up and bank leading edges. They may not be the visionaries who break new ground, but Idealist is usually on the field, when seeds of success get planted. Globally, historically, and evolutionarily, the mover and shaker among us is Idealist. And they’ve likely always been as they are now: the last to celebrate august events or auspicious occasions. Idealist is not easily nor readily pleased.
For others, membership has its privileges.
For Idealists, power decides who’s privileged and who’s not.
These individuals are the number-one purchasers of self-help books; the majority audience at motivational seminars; the ones attending night school; and the energy pulse at trade shows, on both sides of booths. Idealists make it their business to know all possible about whatever preoccupies their mind, sparks their interest, or fills the pages of their leather-bound notebooks. Usually, that’s work: making money, winning recognition, and having more power at their disposal. They strive to become invaluable first; they then upwardly adjust their market price.
Value—how much things cost, how rare, how much does a dollar buy, and how much prestige goes with acquisition or position, are typical Idealist questions. If socially acceptable, the first question they’d ask is, “How much money did you earn last year?” That’s how they measure their own value, in comparison to others.
Idealists think in terms of value and worth. When compensation equals their personally-held valuation, or when they can dictate their own terms and write their own cheques, is when Idealists are satisfied on two, but not necessarily all levels. Firstly, their own high opinion of themselves is validated. Nothing pleases more or pridefully pops the buttons off Idealist shirts faster, than having answered the question, “What do you want?,” and their getting it! Secondly, it gives them the opportunity to do their style of schtick, their own way.
To have complete control over all aspects of a project is dictionary-definition of Idealist satisfaction and intoxicating to them. A force to be reckoned with, is Idealist with an idea and the wherewithal to make it happen. Idealists love money and are very, generally, very good at managing it. (Test participants, who cannot balance a cheque-book yet perceive their Idealist as their dominant Style of thinking, stop here and retest. The further and more that follows, isn’t you either).
Besides acquiring the knowledge, and honing self and skills to the point of perfection, Idealists do one other thing that contributes to their long-standing record of success. They emulate it. They may adopt a successful other as a role-model, to learn from and, hopefully, surpass in terms of accomplishment, by making smarter moves and taking smarter risks. Their role-model may only be “famous” to them, but it’s their record of success and their lifestyle that Idealist admires or envies. For these individuals, admire is a simile for envy.
As it’s impossible to be a little bit pregnant, its impossible for them to admire without some degree of envy. In keeping with their striving nature, the model Idealist chooses will be far beyond their current status quo, financially and socially, but within reach of their desires and dreams. Instead of being inspiration, their models are more akin to cattle-prod motivation. Forcing them to work faster and harder for success. But then, Idealists don’t mind standing on tiptoe, to catch their reflection in elevated mirrors. When at eye-level, they tend to find more in their mirrored reflection to erase than embrace.
Idealists seem determined, to pit success against failure in winner-take-all competitions. Their drug of choice is mind-adrenaline. They choose situations that challenge their intellect, skill, timing, health, and even threaten their financial ruin. Their favourite games and tales involve risking to win. They’ll likely only admit to having lost, if they’re currently ahead of where they were, when defeated. Perceiving a sliver of chance to leap ahead of others, Idealist doesn’t hesitate. They roll and risk.
Their world is populated by winners and losers. When bested by another, they may outwardly smile, but inwardly stew in self-disappointment bile. Idealist may quickly but not easily, walk away from defeat. They usually resolve to more creatively triumph next time around—whatever it takes. That path could wend unscrupulously. Idealists have a tendency to side with immediacy over wisdom, in heats of competition. These individuals never lose sight of goals, which can narrow their view to tunnel vision. They may be too-focused on winning, to hear the warning grumbles of conscience-discomfort. White collar crimes are the consequence of such focused ignore and/or ignorance.
To experience Idealists at play, join them in a game of Monopoly[TM]. They’re the ones who toss original rules and move the stakes to nail-biting heights. With them, each roll of dice portents ruin, passing Go is the mark of shrewd tenacity, and being Jailed a reprieve. It’s unlikely that the term “gracious loser,” was coined to describe an Idealist gamester. They play to win. They’re renowned for being poor losers, but also renowned for paying their bets or debts. It’s no mystery why gambling appeals to them, or why stress-related ailments, such as ulcers, migraines, and back problems, commonly plague them. They’re the original stress-junkies.
Responsibility is Idealist’s elixir, and the more, the better! They like being needed. It’s a rare Idealist, who walks away from challenge or commitment (once anger has passed, that is). Whether by reputation, by title, or, by legal right, all matters pertaining to dominion and domain become their business. Generally, affiliations and associations—from office, to friends, to family—are considered personally-reflective, thus subject to screening by Idealist’s propriety filter. They are not reluctant to tell others what to think, do and say. All are entitled to their opinion. Not having control over key aspects of their life is high-stress for them.
By grit, by wit, by might, Idealists weave self into global tapestries. Proof, they can and do deliver better mouse traps, is their consistent historical distinction for being the second wealthiest and second most powerful personality style on the planet. Visionary is number one.
Interestingly, Idealists who are not receiving the recognition they feel their due, at work or home, tend to catch colds frequently. It seems to be an attention-getting ploy. Generally speaking, their health and constitution is rather robust. Additionally, getting these stoic individuals to miss a day of work is rarer than hens’ teeth. Plowing through to successful completion, despite illness or adversity, is their nature and way. Spooning them some well-deserved attention-tonic seems to miraculously restore flagging health, as well as immensely boost their self-doubt immunity.
No free rides
Others and mate learn to place great faith in the ability and capability of Idealist. Trusted and loved ones tend to benefit materially and socially in their company. Be warned, though, any ride with Idealists is a taxi-ride, not a hitchhike. Fares will be charged and the tab usually reads “meet or exceed my expectations.” Idealist expects all their investments of time, money, and affection, to improve and yield greater treasure or pleasure. Their Svengali-propensity may require others to compromise their independence, for the sake of the relationship. (One chief per Idealist tribe).
Trusting others to do things right is hard for these perfectionists. When reins and rights are turned over to them, Idealist’s true gifts unwrap: creative problem-solving, organization, and delegation. When problems seem insurmountable, count on Idealist to deliver solutions and plans that work.
Why does Idealist’s particular style of smart have so many thorns? Because they not think, walk, and talk fast. Many are nail-biters; a likely coping-behaviour from having to bottle their impatience with others, so often. While slower-thinking others mull, chew, and consider, Idealist is mentally tying the bow on the completed package. Additionally, having to listen to others discussing something they knew wouldn’t work ten minutes ago, is sure to manifest as raw nerves and gnawed nails. Idealist has been labelled obstinate and uncooperative. When they take a stand, they can seem stone-deaf and resolute. In reality, they’re receptive to ideas that sound better than their own, but quite deaf to ideas that ring failure, to their ears. Failing anything can be crushingly humiliating for Idealists. They like a good challenge and prepare for one outcome: winning. Should a better solution than theirs be offered, they’re quick to recognize and capitalize on it. It’s not only the wind of their ideas that they use to fill global sails, but the most perfect wind they can muster.
Unless their innate critical aspect is tempered with greater acceptance and patience, Idealist may find themselves crossing that perfect finish-line, perfectly alone. While prickly pears can be a refreshing treat, the novelty and necessity of wearing gloves in their handling, wearies, wears thin, and wears others out quickly. Instead of expecting utopia to arrive full-blown, as Athena from the brow of Zeus, Idealists may benefit from learning to trust the irrefutable wisdom of time’s lesson. Change unfolds, it does not unfurl.
Enjoyment of now is a right, a privilege, and entitlement. As the world applauds what went right, they tend to focus on what went wrong. Idealist must occasionally bow to what is, and learn to enjoy the process as much as the change.
© ANSIR Communications
