Role Models

Napoleon Hill wrote a book called "Think and Grow Rich" in 1937. It was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie.  At the time, Andrew Carnegie was an extremely wealthy industrialist.  You may be familiar with the Carnegie Libraries he sponsored throughout United States and Canada.  I urge you to purchase a copy of this book for your personal collection.

It is arguably the most influential book to spawn the self improvement industry.  Andrew Carnegie commissioned Hill to study the habits of the most effective and influential persons of the day and then write a report (suitable for distribution) of his findings so that others might benefit.

One of his findings/suggestions in the book concerns role models.  He talks about assembling an imaginary board of directors to help guide your life.  The idea is that I could choose role models that are proficient in various areas in which I would want guidance and then I could retire to a quiet space within my own mind and ask these persons (jointly and severally) for advice.

In one example, I have identified real life people (whom I would like to emulate) to represent my goals .... parental, spiritual, physical, financial etc.  Then I would sit and relax comfortably and go to a quiet space in my mind and ask them what they might do to make the best of a given situation.  As I write this I realize it is but another variation on Spiritual Reading discussed elsewhere on this site. I think the main point is to adopt techniques and mind tricks that open me to expanded possibilities.  As chairman of my board, I don't always take the guidance provided; but, it can be a source of better thinking which automatically leads me to better doing.

A current example of my use of an influential role model is in my playing of pickle ball.  Kay and I took some instruction from a coach (Kevin) once whom we liked a lot and was quite effective in his own career.  Now, when we play, there is another fellow on the court sometimes who is also very good.  They are good at the game.  They appear to love the game.  And they are wonderful communicators.  I choose to have them on my "board" and I am often conferring with them as I play.

Another example ... I took psychotherapy for several years.  After a few months of experiencing the man (whom I admired very much)  I could often accurately anticipate his guidance to my issues as I included him in my self-talk.  It's not that he ever told me what to do.  It's more that talking in his presence helped me frame my issues more constructively so that more productive solutions presented themselves.

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