The Story Teller

The Story Teller
Jun 27, 2003
22,643
1,154
72
New Jersey
Visit site
✟28,184.00
Faith
Methodist
Marital Status
Married
ROLE MODELS

“A man is no greater than his dream, his ideal, his hope, and his plan.”
—Doctor Fern

Whether we are aware of it or not, the character we have developed in our own life is a copy of other people’s behavior. We learn how to live life by observing other people. Our own actions are a synthesis of what we have learned by watching the actions of others. If we do not consciously select our role models, we will have little control over who we become. But our character will still be fashioned from our perception of others. If we choose our models carefully, we can be master of our life’s potential. Role models can have a tremendous influence on our life. During childhood, our role models are generally our parents or siblings. Later, we develop other interests and may adopt role models that are associated with our desired profession. Role models give us insight into how others have overcome failures and how they persisted in pursuing their goals.

In The Scientific Study of Political Leadership, G. D. Paige examines how many of the most noted leaders of our time modeled themselves after other great leaders. Mao Tse-tung constantly read about Washington, Napoleon, Catherine of Russia, Peter the Great, Gladstone, Lincoln, and others. Woodrow Wilson wrote a biography of Washington. John F. Kennedy wrote of those he admired in Profiles in Courage. Napoleon read and reread Plutarch’s Parallel Lives, and Winston Churchill researched the life of his ancestor Malborough.

CONSIDER THIS: Purposefully select your role models. Read biographies of people you admire. This can give you the self-confidence that you can achieve your goals.

Submitted by Richard