No one in childhood loved the phrase: "Look at who you look like!". When a boy in clean golf is shown to you who have fallen into the mud, you feel nothing but hatred towards him. But as it gets older, it becomes clear: you need to have an example to follow. Still, the person who collected the bumps in his path, teach them to bypass.
Who becomes an example to follow
Examples of role models for life are different people. The first example for children is their parents. Kids develop: they copy parental movements, words, facial expressions. Teenagers learn to rebel, so at their age idols often become anti-heroes. In adults, priorities change. Although everyone has their own ideas about the good life, I want to imitate successful and successful people. Because role models know a common secret: how to do anything, but more effective than others.
Examples to follow are not as close as the mentors. But these are individuals who want to emulate. They are more often observed from the side. These are people from another country, culture or era. Many learn their habits and explore character traits. Idols are sought in different areas of life:
- Professional (sometimes they are called mentors);
- Spiritual (sometimes called mentors);
- Everyday.
The good news is that there can be plenty of examples. But to succeed, admiration alone is not enough. We also need to work.
6 effective imitation techniques
It is pleasant to understand that the role model is not an unattainable idol, but a mortal man. And you can get closer to the idol in small steps. Here are some exercises from famous trainers and writers.
- Winner Psychology. Actor and motivational trainer Tony Robbins talks about the technique of copying success in the book "A Book of Self-Control": Mentally imagine your idol. This may be a neighbor or a person of world renown. Close your eyes and mentally ask them a question. These are your dreams, so you need to talk with your idol as if you have known each other for a long time. Think that he can answer you, and write everything down on paper. Answers idol will help you choose the direction of movement.
Outcome 1. A conversation with Rockefeller will not make you a dollar millionaire, but will help you become a successful businessman.
- Conversation with the dead. Personal growth coach Eric Bertrand Larssen in the book Now! shares the personal idea of the exercise: When I understand that I am mistaken, I sit down in the chair and introduce people I want to consult with. I talk to them and then write down the conversations on paper. Anything can be asked from imaginary interlocutors. How they succeeded and what they would have done differently. This allows you to remember the main thing and not be afraid of the future.
Outcome 2. Detached dialogue helps to look at your life from the side.
- Super abilities. Motivational speaker Brian Tracy in the book "The 21 Secret of Millionaire Success" says: People are amazed by the self-discipline of millionaires. In fact, these are only habits that give them super abilities. Perform the exercise: identify the area of life where lack of discipline does the most damage. One decision can make a huge difference in your life.
Outcome 3. Feel like a superman. The world is full of unworked exploits.
- Strange habits. Blogger Larisa Perfent'eva shares her observations in her book “100 Ways to Change Life”: Successful people have habits that contradict “useful skills”. However, they are helpful. One must allow oneself to be sad, to err, to be unsure of oneself. Psychologists recommend always to finish what has been started. Sometimes this rule is worth breaking. Otherwise, it is impossible to focus on the things you need. And sometimes you just need to say: "Yes, and figs with him" and rush on.
Outcome 4. Even the most pleasant thing is boring. So we are arranged.
- Learn not to imitate, but to copy. Another tip from Tony Robbins: Learn to copy the physiology of successful people: breathing rate, voice intonation, gait, gestures. Then you can not just worry with the person. You admire, but also think like the other.
Outcome 5. Imitation is the same skill as any other.
- Other people's goals are not your life.. Motivational speaker Nick Vujcic shares his autobiography “Life without Borders”: Not every successful person should be his idol. You can not compromise your own principles, no matter how bright the cherished goal shines. Think about what your children and grandchildren will say about you.
Outcome 6. Every dream has its own unique path. Sometimes peace of mind is worth more than a thousand achievements.
Why exactly they
Sometimes you look at the idol of millions and think: what does this person attract so much? Small stature, nondescript appearance or low voice - role models sometimes have an unpresentable appearance. Conquers their charisma, admires willpower, and for them leads faith in their own strength.
What else attracts us in the role model?
- They do not fit into the general framework. Remember the situation when the item in the store does not fit anyone: the sleeves are short, the neckline is not in place. Clothes are sewn on standard people, but most simply do not fit the averaged parameters. Norm is a fiction. Idols live by the principle "you need to adjust not a person to the system, but a system to a person."
- They are proud of their dissimilarity. People love to read about the brave and courageous. In our youth we read the books about travelers to holes. Today we read about brave women. The bodipositive movement began in 1996. Why is it so popular? Because for the first time, not glossy beauties, but ordinary women, became an example to follow. They managed to step over their shortcomings and become an example to follow. Now thousands of people with a distant appearance can feel confident. “The man is handsome as he is” - the bodyposing movement motto applies to any area of life.
- They tell their failure story. The scientist Thomas Edisson failed 10 thousand experiments that ended in failure. And only after that invented the incandescent bulb. Writer Joan Rowling has published letters with refusals of publishers. She showed that failure makes free, because the greatest fears have already come true. Collapse stories are more popular today than winning stories. “Genius is 99% of sweat and 1% of talent” - Thomas Edison’s statement inspires people today.
Your personal success is your own business. No one in the world can tell you how to reach the top. Do you know why? Success needs to be discovered in yourself. Set a goal and go to it. And being on the road is worth on the one who has already achieved this goal.
“Learn from everyone, do not imitate anyone,” wrote Maxim Gorky and was right. Constant admiration for role models gives only the illusion of success. Close people love us just like that. From time to time it is worth returning to the comfort zone. The world does not need to conquer, it just needs to be done better.
