Who is your role model?
One day, I was just bewildered thinking where am I going in life, what is my purpose, whom do I follow, what is right or wrong, what is good or bad and many other what’s and how’s were flowing in my mindscape.
One thought which I strongly stumbled upon was whom did I follow all these years? Who is my role model? What exactly does a role model mean?
Let me talk about “What” and later get back to “Who”. So, What exactly does a role model mean?
A role model oftentimes referred to a person who has already excelled in a certain area where you wanted to get into. Their personality, attitude and commitment towards a certain area inspires you every moment and persuades you to excel your dreams in that area. As soon as you see them speak, there is a spark of motivation in your heart and zeal to confront and solve the challenges at hand. The only thought that would be swirling in your mind at that instant is — I can do anything to excel. Period! That is the power of a role model.
I became very conscious thinking about that and started questioning myself — Am I following my parents, teachers, friends, colleagues, guru or do I believe strongly in something which gives me the motivation when I needed it the most and so on. Definitely at some point of time, role model could be essential when we are truly desired about something. Oftentimes, we choose our role model based on the field we are interested in. If you desire to start your own business, you might consider Ratan Tata, Warren Buffet, Jack Ma or any other business magnate as your role model. As soon as you hear about them or see them on media, you can feel the adrenaline rush in your body and you start visualizing being in their shoes and being one of the famous business magnate in the world! They create a path which many people imagined impossible.
It’s not uncommon these days, if we’re inspired by any of the skills and hold a desire to learn it, we surf on internet and try to get every information about it and try to find a right person who has already excelled and gradually follow them and finally start walking their way. I stress that we start walking their way. We copy what they do! We feel they are just perfect and walking their way takes us to a different level. Doesn’t it sound strange when you realize that you actually copying the other person?
Well, while inception, we copy since we are not aware of the area we wanted to get into and there’s nothing harm in copying unless you’re enjoying, and aware of what you’re doing and what your desires are. What matters most is whom are you following? Just take a moment to think whomsoever you’re following, is s/he a right person to follow? We all do different things in our own way and we feel what we are doing is right because that’s the natural way how we do it. But is it actually the right way? To illustrate further, let me take an example. Let’s say your age is somewhere between 20–25 and you desire to become a guitarist. One fine day, you see an old man who is around 55 years of age. He would be an excellent and renowned musician who says “I have achieved my goal and got recognized in my late 40’s and you have ample amount of time to do the things you wish for. Just relax and take your own time.” After few months, you see a video where a boy who is just 13 — is an excellent guitarist playing the world class music in the opera hall, enthralling the audience in front of him. Now, if you consider the old man as your role model, you naturally become lethargic and hope for the time indeed a good time for you to start. But if you get inspired by the young boy, you instantly become proactive and start walking towards your goals and desires. So, you have to choose your role model wisely.
It’s not just limited to a music or business. It can be anything — It can be your life, how you treat your kids or anything for that matter. It’s your choice to follow anyone you wish. But before you follow, think how you can make a difference, a positive impact on yourself and others. Because how you build yourself today, can transform you and the people around you tomorrow and you can be a role model to somebody else one day. Ahhh! Wait a minute. I forgot to ask you that,
