Being a purpose-driven Fan

There are two prime fan modes out there: one doing the “Hero worship“; the other of “Role model“. For someone who believes a certain individual has reached a special persona, one that (we think) is completely out of our league, ends up doing “Hero Worship”. We see their success and stardom, but then also believe that their struggles, sacrifices, talent and dedication is not something we are built to pursue. This is easy thing to do, pick a field of personal choice and interest, and just be in awe of these superhumans, be it in sports, entertainment, business, etc. Then there is the second category of fans who follow their “role models” – they understand the struggles, sacrifices, talent and dedication that took them there, but then also believe they have the necessary mindset and talent to emulate them.

People who can do something great that we cannot do become our “heroes“. People who can do something great that we aspire to do become our “Role Models“. Of course, this distinction is entirely personal, based on the individual’s capability and aspirations. A person could end up being both “hero-worshipper” and “role-model” seeker based on his or her interests. One is inspirational (or divine should I dare say?), the other is aspirational, and both are important in my opinion. One is for our inner calling, the other to expand our horizon. We must have both categories of super stars to look up to.

Hero worship is quite popular across the world. Sportsperson like Sachin Tendulkar, Lionel Messi, Michael Schumacher, Michael Jordan are worshipped the world over. In India, we have a cult following for movie superstars and politicians. We don’t aspire to become them, but then they are inspirational thanks to their relentless pursuit of greatness. Qualities that we can imbibe in our day-to-day life and become better at whatever field we have picked. We enjoy their talent, talk about them passionately and ferociously defend them when the need arises.

Having Role Model though is very important to become a better version of ourselves, the next best version of the current superstar, in a particular field. A person that keeps us aspirational is a role model. There was a nice cookery show that I watched as a kid – “Yan can Cook“. The show’s motto, one that the host keeps drilling home, one that’s forever etched in my mind, “If Yan can cook, so can you!“, truly summarizes the motivational push of a role model. Here was a celebrity Chef, Martin Yan, who in all humility, chartered a show that made people believe anyone can cook. This kind of nudge must have done wonders to anyone passionate about cooking. The show was one of the longest running food and travel programs in the world. Likewise in any other field.

History has plenty of superstar “Role model” followers. Sam Walton was a legendary retailer businessman, and a lot of aspiring retailers tried to “learn” from the master. Jeff Bezos is probably the most famous of these aspirants, who is said to have been inspired by Sam Walton. His book “Made in America” was at the top of Bezos’s reading list, and he probably learnt many retailing lessons like customer obsession, frugality, efficiency, long term focus and empowerment from the Walmart business. If Sam can do, so can you!

Edwin Land was an American scientist and inventor, co-founder of Polaroid corporation. He conceived and perfected the instant photography – known simply as polaroid, which we all have probably used. Land wanted to build his company at the intersection of science and art – This vision laid the strong foundation for one of the best-known companies of today – Apple. Steve Jobs was heavily inspired by Land, and it is said that Jobs learnt the importance of correctly launching a product from Land. If Land can do, so can you!

Likewise, we have several other superstar role models and followers. Hollywood directors Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg were inspired by Walt Disney. Sachin Tendulkar, the famous Indian cricket player, has influenced a generation of cricket players like Virat Kohli and others. Sachin himself was influenced by cricketing legends like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Vivian Richards. The chain of role model just goes on and on – you follow someone and end up becoming a role model yourself.

The beauty of “role model”, however, is that we see their human side and the possibility that comes with it. It need not be a superstar or a famous personality even. It can be an exceptional colleague at work, a fitness obsessed neighbor, an emotionally strong friend, financially successful relative, any one whose trait we wish to emulate. We can aspire to imbibe the good qualities that they possess, ones that we are in much need of. They are human-like and with it a belief that if they can do, so can we.

We need many role models to look up to. Chose appropriately from the relevant fields, be it career, finance, health, work life balance, travel, whatever interests you. There is hard work involved, and one must be ready to put in the efforts over a long period of time. The word is “aspirational” – aspiring to be the best version of ourselves and do better in all spheres of life. Heroes are required too; they can be the divine force that we hold our beliefs, for some things are beyond science and common sense. Then there are God-like personas who continue to inspire us to do great things in life. Whoever you follow – be in “hero-worship” mode or “role model” mode, consciously chose to learn from them and keep getting better. Be a purpose-driven fan.