---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our idea of a real problem is someone…"
description: "\"Our idea of a real problem is someone else's idea of an ultimate dream. Put the 'problem' in perspective\" — Tony Robbins"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg"
---

#  Our idea of a real problem is someone else's idea of an…

![“Our idea of a real problem is someone else's idea of an ultimate dream. Put the 'problem' in perspective” quote by Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg)

> “Our idea of a real problem is someone else's idea of an ultimate dream. Put the 'problem' in perspective”

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote suggests that what we label as a problem often reflects another person's ideal or aspiration, urging us to reframe challenges by seeing them as perspectives on others' dreams.

**In simple terms:** Problems may be others' dreams seen differently.

Key Takeaway

Reframe issues as perspectives on others' goals.

Themes

perception perspective goals mindset reframing

Mood

reflective inquisitive motivational

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
- strategic planning
- coaching

Key Concepts

subjectivity aspiration interpretation

Questions to Reflect On

- How does redefining a problem change your response?
- When might a problem be more than a perspective?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook personal agency and the reality of genuine obstacles.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dream Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-problem-2624780/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Idea Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-real-791156/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-idea-746926/) [Problem Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-perspective-320770/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-problem/) [Real problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-problems/) [Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate/)

## Related quotes

> [There is no need of a way out! Don't you see that a way out is also part of the dream All you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/there-is-no-need-of-a-way-out-don-t-you-see-that-a-way-out-is-also/)

[Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/)

> [Humor is the healthy way of feeling "distance" between one's self and the problem, a way of standing off and looking at one's problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/humor-is-the-healthy-way-of-feeling-distance-between-one-s-self-and/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [“We live in a world where most people only dream of what they could become and that’s the problem. Everything takes effort and work;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-jane-rose/we-live-in-a-world-where-most-people-only-dream-of-what-they-could/)

[Helen Jane Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-jane-rose/)

> [Lots of times, our main problem isn't our problem. Our biggest problem is our perspective on our problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-furtick/lots-of-times-our-main-problem-isn-t-our-problem-our-biggest-problem/)

[Steven Furtick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-furtick/)

> [The problem with working with a coach isn't that we don't know what to do. The real problem is that we don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-problem-with-working-with-a-coach-isn-t-that-we-don-t-know-what/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [The real problem is the total capitulation of German social democracy to capitalism, reflected and symbolized by actual extreme center coalition governments in Germany,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ali/the-real-problem-is-the-total-capitulation-of-german-social-democracy/)

[Tariq Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ali/)

> [The only real problem in your life is how you're using your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-keyes-jr/the-only-real-problem-in-your-life-is-how-you-re-using-your-mind/)

[Ken Keyes Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-keyes-jr/)

> [I know that people who have been closely involved with my work for many years are terrified of having to answer to someone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-armani/i-know-that-people-who-have-been-closely-involved-with-my-work-for/)

[Giorgio Armani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-armani/)

> [The real problem is, people think life is a ladder, and it's really a wheel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-lint/the-real-problem-is-people-think-life-is-a-ladder-and-it-s-really-a/)

[Charles de Lint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-lint/)

> [Science has brought forth this danger, but the real problem is in the minds and hearts of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/science-has-brought-forth-this-danger-but-the-real-problem-is-in-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Our conflict is in relationship, at all levels of our existence; and the understanding of this relationship, completely and extensively, is the only real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/our-conflict-is-in-relationship-at-all-levels-of-our-existence-and/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [In other words, the real problem is not exterior. The real problem is interior. The real problem is how to get people to internally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/in-other-words-the-real-problem-is-not-exterior-the-real-problem-is/)

[Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/)

> [The real problem of leisure time is how to keep others from using yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-lacey/the-real-problem-of-leisure-time-is-how-to-keep-others-from-using/)

[Arthur Lacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-lacey/)

> [The real problem is that the financial base for our social security system is shrinking because the number of normal jobs is falling. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/the-real-problem-is-that-the-financial-base-for-our-social-security/)

[Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/)

> [The real problem with the IRS is that they let General Electric not pay any taxes -- and 50 other corporations -- that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-real-problem-with-the-irs-is-that-they-let-general-electric-not/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

## More by Tony Robbins

> [The only people without problems are in cemeteries. If you don't have problems, get on your knees and pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-only-people-without-problems-are-in-cemeteries-if-you-don-t-have/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [When you feel you have good although incomplete expertise, start trying things. If it's not working, try something else; maintain an experimental mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/when-you-feel-you-have-good-although-incomplete-expertise-start/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Without a vision there is no possibility of creating something larger than what al-ready exists. An entrepreneur has to be able to bring something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/without-a-vision-there-is-no-possibility-of-creating-something-larger/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Our beliefs are like the unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what's possible and what's impossible, what we can and can not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-beliefs-are-like-the-unquestioned-commands-telling-us-how-things/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Decisions decide destiny, there is no action without decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/decisions-decide-destiny-there-is-no-action-without-decision/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [With goals you can create the future in advance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/with-goals-you-can-create-the-future-in-advance/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/one-reason-so-few-of-us-achieve-what-we-truly-want-is-that-we-never/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [How do you turn the invisible into the visible? The first step is to define your dream precisely; the only limit to what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/how-do-you-turn-the-invisible-into-the-visible-the-first-step-is-to/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Think of your mind, your emotions, and your spirit as the ultimate garden. The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [The message of frustration is an exciting signal. it means that your brain beleives you could be doing better than you currently are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-message-of-frustration-is-an-exciting-signal-it-means-that-your/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [I'm a strategist, not a motivator. I'm obsessed with finding strategies that create real results in the shortest period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/i-m-a-strategist-not-a-motivator-i-m-obsessed-with-finding-strategies/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [“Leadership is producing a standard in someone that they will live by to produce higher level results consistently.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/leadership-is-producing-a-standard-in-someone-that-they-will-live-by/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Whenever people have trouble public speaking, it's because they are just thinking about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/whenever-people-have-trouble-public-speaking-it-s-because-they-are/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Progress is the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/progress-is-the-ultimate-motivation/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/if-you-do-what-you-ve-always-done-you-ll-get-what-you-ve-always-gotten/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

[Explore all 854 Tony Robbins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

## More Dream quotes

> [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/)

[Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/)

> [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/)

[John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/)

[Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/)

> [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/)

[Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/)

> [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/)

[Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/)

> [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/)

[Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/)

> [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/)

[Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/)

> [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/)

[Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/)

> [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/)

[Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/)

> [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/)

[Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/)

> [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/)

[Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/)

> [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/)

[Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/)

> [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/his-dream-must-have-seemed-so-close-that-he-could-hardly-fail-to/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

[Browse all 26,527 Dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Our idea of a real problem is someone else's idea of an ultimate dream. Put the 'problem' in perspective",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tony Robbins"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-else-s-idea-of-an-ultimate/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dream"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-else-s-idea-of-an-ultimate/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/tony-robbins-232_dream_our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-el_267800.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Our idea of a real problem is someone else's idea of an ultimate dream. Put the 'problem' in perspective” — Tony Robbins",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Tony Robbins",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Our idea of a real problem...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-else-s-idea-of-an-ultimate/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-idea-of-a-real-problem-is-someone-else-s-idea-of-an-ultimate/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
