The Basics of Effective Role Modeling

Role modeling is a very effective method for self improvement. If – and only if – it is done the right way.

I know, some people won’t acknowledge that. Maybe you’re one of those people. Maybe you think of role modeling as childish or you think it’s a method only weak people use. In fact, it’s none of the kind.

What not to do

It’s probably true that a lot of weak people got some kind of role models. And they might aim at becoming like their superstars, but trying to become like your role models is not what you should do. Here’s why:

If you copycat a person you will become a poor copy of that very person. You will never really reach the goals you aim for, because you’re setting yourself limits. Your role models are limiting in that case. Yeah, you could possibly improve in certain areas but at what price? You’d be giving away your uniqueness and freedom. Don’t do it.

What to do

Try to exceed your role models. Try to integrate their best habits, attitudes etc. into your own life but keep your uniqueness. This goes hand in hand with another view of your chosen mentors:

Do not see them as unreachable gurus. They’re not. They might did some great things in their lives but you can do it as well. In fact, you can even do better as picking up their effective traits gives you a nice time advantage. Keep that in mind. They made their faults as well.

If you truly believe that you can be greater than your role models, then you can proceed. Study their lives and think about which of their habits you could use to improve yours. Ask yourself: “Why did they become so successful?”

It’s also important to compare different prosperous persons at that point. Look out for things they have in common. If several highly successful people all have some very special common characters, then it’s very unlikely that this is due to pure chance. It’s more likely, that there’s a direct relationship. So these common characters are what you’re looking for.

Integrate them in your lifestyle and become great.

Basically, that’s it. I’d like to close this article with one little warning though:

Don’t let studying other people’s lives detract you from living your own life.