Words that caught us: What would you like your kids to know? (Part 5)

 

Who do you want to be in life?

. A doctor!

No, no... I'm not asking about career.

I'm asking about your aspiration.

Who do you aspire to be?

. I don't understand.

 

Okay. Let's do something...

Take a piece of paper.

Now, list down the people

You greatly admire and respect.

Let's start with 3, is that okay?

. Fine.

Have you listed them down?

. Yes.

 

These are your role models.

 

Now, write beside each of them,

The thing you admire most,

In each of them.

No. Not their accomplishments,

But their most distinguishing character trait.

Distill it into one word,

Like, courage, generosity, wisdom etc

. Gotcha!

Mmm…good job! That looks nice.

 

This is who you aspire to become.

 

. I’m lost.

Okay…it’s like this…

These character traits you’ve listed down

Are traits you want to see in yourself.

‘Aspiration is mimetic.’

Meaning, the things we want

And aspire to be,

Are usually things we see in people,

We admire and respect.

We are mostly imitators.

The people you admire and respect,

Are like a reflection, or a picture, of you;

Of how you would like to show up in the world,

Of what you would like to be known for,

And remembered for.

You aspire to wield these distinguishing traits,

Like they have.

. Oh, I get it now.

 

Now, always remember this….

“Models are people or things,

That show us what is worth wanting.”

That’s why you must be very careful

On who you choose as your role model.

It’s one of the most important decisions

You’ll ever make.

. Because, ultimately, I’ll end up being like them.

Exactly!

 

And something else…

Your role models can help you make

Important life decisions,

Even if you have never met, or talked to them.

. How now?

It’s simple. Anytime you get into a situation,

That’s confusing, frustrating, or, just tricky,

Ask yourself what your role model would do?

How would they decide?

How would they behave in that situation?

These questions help to link you with,

And give expression,

To your aspirational self?

In other words…

How would your aspirational-self handle this situation?

What would your aspirational-self do next?

What decision or choice best reflects your aspirational-self?

How would your aspirational-self show up?

If you do this well, and consistently

You'll slowly grow to be like your role models,

And realize your aspiration.

*This reflection was inspired by Dan Rockwell in this and this article.