Session 5 Self Discipline

Summary

The video script explores the vital role of mentors in personal development and achievement. It delves into the history of mentorship, from ancient Babylonian King Hammurabi to modern self-made successes, emphasizing the importance of learning through modeling. The script advises on finding mentors through various means, including media, personal acquaintances, networking, and apprenticeships. It encourages viewers to emulate the behaviors and attitudes of successful individuals to develop self-discipline and inspire personal growth, ultimately achieving their goals by believing in their potential to succeed.

Takeaways

• 📚 Mentorship is a timeless concept rooted in ancient civilizations, with the term 'mentor' originating from Homer's 'The Odyssey'.
• 🧠 Mentors provide inspiration, motivation, and examples that can significantly influence one's path to success or failure.
• 👨‍🏫 The role of a mentor is to instill a belief in the possibility of achieving goals and to facilitate learning through modeling.
• 👥 Modeling is crucial for the transfer of skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors from mentors to students.
• 👶 From an early age, individuals learn and imitate behaviors from those around them, which can shape their future success or failure.
• 🔍 Finding mentors can be done indirectly through reading biographies, watching films, and observing role models in various media.
• 🤝 Direct mentorship can occur through personal acquaintances, networking, and apprenticeships with accomplished individuals.
• 📈 High achievers often draw inspiration from role models, learning from their successes and the self-discipline required to achieve them.
• 🌟 Recognizing the humanity and imperfections of mentors helps demystify them and boosts one's confidence in their own ability to succeed.
• 🎭 Emulating the behaviors and attitudes of successful mentors can provide a template for achieving one's own goals.
• 💡 The power of role models lies in the sense of possibility they inspire, motivating individuals to work persistently towards their vision.

Q & A

What is the significance of the character Mentor in Homer's The Odyssey?

In Homer's The Odyssey, Mentor is a wise and practical man who keeps everything running smoothly at home while Odysseus is away on adventures. His name has become synonymous with a wise and trusted counselor or teacher in the English language.

Why are mentors important in achieving one's goals?

Mentors are crucial because they provide inspiration, motivation, and examples that can make the difference between achievement and failure. They help individuals develop the belief that anything is possible and allow them to learn through modeling the person they aspire to be.

What is the historical example of mentorship mentioned in the script?

The script mentions King Hammurabi of Babylon, who in the 18th century BC, developed the Code of Hammurabi and required men of learning and craftsmanship to pass on their knowledge and skills to the young, realizing the importance of modeling for the continuity of civilization.

How do values, attitudes, and behaviors get passed on from mentors to students?

Values, attitudes, and behaviors are passed on from mentors to students through the process of modeling, where students observe, imitate, and learn from the actions and behaviors of their mentors.

What role do our early life models play in shaping our self-discipline and success?

Early life models, such as parents, siblings, and teachers, play a significant role in shaping our self-discipline and success. If we have good models of integrity and achievement, we are more likely to grow up to be achievers ourselves. Conversely, if our models reflect apathy or failure, we may imitate negative behaviors.

How can an individual develop a positive outlook and self-discipline?

An individual can develop a positive outlook and self-discipline by throwing off the cloak of self-doubt, realizing their potential to achieve goals, and using self-discipline to develop the necessary knowledge and skills for success.

What are the two ways achievers draw inspiration from role models?

Achievers draw inspiration from role models indirectly through reading biographies, autobiographies, and watching films, and directly through day-to-day observation and contact with successful individuals.

How can one find mentors through personal acquaintances?

One can find mentors through personal acquaintances by observing friends or family members who have achieved success in business or have made outstanding contributions to the community, allowing for close observation of their attitudes, behaviors, and problem-solving strategies.

What is the purpose of networking in finding mentors?

Networking is used to build relationships with people who can introduce and expose you to positive role models. It is a way to establish contacts that create greater opportunities and place you among successful, self-disciplined individuals.

What is the concept of apprenticeship and why is it still relevant today?

Apprenticeship is the process of learning directly from a master mentor, often seen in the arts, trades, and professions. It is relevant today because it allows for personalized, intentional learning where skills and knowledge are passed down through direct experience and guidance.

How can recognizing the human and fallible nature of mentors help in boosting one's confidence?

Recognizing that mentors are human and have their own shortcomings helps demystify the role model and boosts confidence by showing that success is attainable even with imperfections. It inspires the belief that if they can achieve success, so can anyone else with the right ambition and drive.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Role of Mentors in Achievement

This paragraph introduces the concept of mentorship, drawing from the character Mentor in Homer's 'The Odyssey' and the historical figure Hammurabi. It emphasizes the importance of mentors in guiding and inspiring individuals to achieve their goals. The paragraph discusses how mentors provide wisdom, inspiration, and serve as role models, enabling learners to develop self-belief and discipline. It also touches upon the idea that mentorship is not just about learning skills but also about adopting values and behaviors. The narrative highlights the impact of early life models and suggests that everyone has been influenced by mentors, either positively or negatively, throughout their lives.

05:03

🌟 Finding Inspiration Through Role Models

The second paragraph delves into the ways achievers find inspiration from role models, both indirectly through media like biographies and films, and directly through personal contact and networking. It discusses how individuals can learn from the accomplishments of others, such as George Washington and Charles Lindbergh, even if they cannot meet them personally. The paragraph also mentions Sylvester Stallone's 'Rocky' as an example of a film that serves as a mentor to many, illustrating the power of mentorship in media. The importance of identifying personal role models and learning from their habits, thought patterns, and problem-solving approaches is underscored, with the suggestion to use these insights to develop one's own path to success.

10:05

👨‍🏫 Choosing and Learning from Mentors

This paragraph focuses on the process of selecting and learning from mentors. It discusses the prevalence of apprenticeship in various fields and the value of learning directly from a master mentor. The text provides guidance on how to assess potential mentors by comparing their behaviors and habits against the characteristics of a self-disciplined achiever. It also emphasizes the importance of observing a mentor's approach to stress, problem-solving, and personal relationships. The paragraph encourages finding a mentor who balances work with personal life and who is open to learning and growth, acknowledging that even successful mentors have their human flaws and weaknesses.

15:07

🚀 Embracing Imperfection in Role Models

The fourth paragraph explores the idea that even the most successful mentors have their weaknesses and imperfections. It uses examples of renowned individuals who have achieved great success despite lacking certain skills or abilities. The narrative encourages demystifying role models by recognizing their humanity and fallibility, which can boost one's confidence in their own potential for success. The paragraph suggests that by understanding and emulating the behaviors and habits of mentors, one can adopt the attitudes and actions that lead to success, drawing parallels to childhood games of dress-up and role-playing as a means to try on success.

20:09

🎭 The Power of Emulating Success

The final paragraph discusses the power of emulating the success of mentors. It suggests that by acting 'as if' one already possesses the qualities of a successful person, an individual can begin to internalize those traits. The text references Hunter Thompson and his emulation of Charles Dickens to illustrate this point. It also introduces the story of Bunker Beam, a character who, through believing he was the reincarnation of Napoleon, adopted the emperor's habits and ultimately achieved success. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of finding a mentor, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and using this knowledge to ignite one's own path to greatness.

Keywords

💡Mentor

A mentor is defined as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. In the context of the video, mentors are crucial for personal development and success, providing inspiration, motivation, and serving as role models. The script references the character Mentor from 'The Odyssey' and the historical figure Hammurabi, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in both ancient and modern times.

💡Achievement

Achievement refers to the act of accomplishing a goal or task. The video's theme centers on the idea that mentors can significantly influence one's ability to achieve. It is highlighted that few achievers can reach their goals without the guidance of mentors who provide the necessary belief and learning opportunities.

💡Modeling

Modeling is the process of learning by imitating the behavior of others. The script explains that learning through modeling is essential for personal growth, as it allows individuals to emulate the people they aspire to be. Hammurabi's laws and the concept of apprenticeship exemplify the practice of passing on knowledge and skills through modeling.

💡Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is the ability to control one's emotions and actions in pursuit of long-term goals. The video emphasizes the role of self-discipline in achieving success, suggesting that mentors can inspire and teach self-discipline through their own persistence and positive attitudes.

💡Role Model

A role model is someone who serves as an example to others. The script discusses the importance of identifying and learning from role models, both indirectly through media and directly through personal contact or apprenticeship, to acquire the skills and attitudes necessary for success.

💡Inspiration

Inspiration is the process of being motivated or influenced by someone or something. The video script highlights how mentors provide inspiration, which is essential for driving individuals towards their goals. Examples from the script include the impact of biographies and films on shaping aspirations.

💡Networking

Networking refers to the cultivation of professional or social contacts. In the script, networking is presented as a direct method for finding mentors by building relationships that can introduce and expose individuals to positive role models.

💡Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a system of learning a trade or skill through practical experience under the guidance of a skilled practitioner. The video script mentions apprenticeship as a traditional yet effective way of learning directly from a master mentor, which is common in various fields including arts, trades, and professions.

💡Imitation

Imitation is the act of copying or emulating the behavior of others. The script uses the concept of imitation to illustrate how individuals can adopt the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of their mentors, as seen in the examples of Hunter Thompson imitating Charles Dickens and the fictional character Bunker Beam emulating Napoleon.

💡Personal Growth

Personal growth refers to the process of improving and developing one's abilities, personality, and understanding. The video's theme of mentorship is tied to personal growth, as it discusses how mentors can facilitate an individual's journey towards self-improvement and the realization of their potential.

💡Possibility

Possibility is the state or fact that something may happen or be done. The script emphasizes the sense of possibility as a driving force behind achieving one's goals, inspired by the accomplishments of mentors and the belief that if they can achieve it, so can the individual.

Highlights

Mentor is defined as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, embodying the qualities of the character Mentor from Homer's The Odyssey.

Mentors provide inspiration, motivation, and examples that can make the difference between achievement and failure.

Ancient civilizations revered mentors, with King Hammurabi of Babylon requiring knowledge and skills to be passed on to the young.

Learning through modeling is essential for civilization to last, as it allows the transfer of skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors.

People unconsciously imitate role models they admire, whether in skills, style, or behavior.

Early life experiences and models greatly influence a person's development and belief in their ability to achieve.

Developing a positive outlook and self-discipline is critical for achieving goals.

Finding mentors who have achieved what you want can provide the inspiration and teaching needed for success.

Achievers draw inspiration from role models indirectly through reading, watching films, and directly through observation and contact.

Biographies, autobiographies, and inspirational media can serve as sources of mentorship and inspiration.

Networking can help expose you to positive role models and create opportunities for learning.

Apprenticeship, learning directly from a master mentor, is common among high achievers in various fields.

Choosing a mentor involves assessing their strengths and weaknesses and how they achieved their goals.

Mentors are human and have faults, which can be a valuable lesson in understanding that success is possible despite imperfections.

Recognizing the humanity of mentors helps boost confidence in one's own ability to succeed.

Imitating the behavior of successful mentors can help individuals acquire the habits and attitudes needed for achievement.

Acting 'as if' can be a powerful tool for acquiring positive habits and behaviors, as suggested by William James.

The power of role models lies in the sense of possibility and importance they instill, motivating individuals to work towards their goals.

Transcripts

session five in Homer's The Odyssey one

of the oldest surviving epic poems in

the world there is a character named

mentor a wise and practical man mentor

kept everything running smoothly at home

while Odysseus the hero of the tale went

off for ten years to have adventures

mentor played his roles so well and gave

such wise and true advice that his name

has become part of the English language

as a representation of what he stood for

the American Heritage Dictionary defines

a mentor as a wise and trusted counselor

or teacher this session is about mentors

few achievers can ever reach their goals

without them mentors provide you with

the kind of inspiration motivation and

example that can make the difference

between achievement and failure mentors

help you to develop the belief that

anything is possible and mentors allow

you to learn through modeling that is

emulating the person you'd like to be in

ancient civilizations mentors were

revered in the 18th century BC there

lived a wise babylonian king named

Hammurabi one of his greatest

achievements was developing and drafting

mankind's first set of civilized laws

known today as the Code of Hammurabi

this King was so wise that one of his

laws required all men of learning and

craftsmanship to pass on their knowledge

and skills to the young through examples

their students could follow Hammurabi

realized that without modeling no

civilization would last very long there

have been many changes in the past

thirty eight hundred years but one thing

has remained the same without modeling

learning and achievement are not

possible it is a rare person who can

forge a new path in society without

consciously or unconsciously imitating

someone that came before him it is a

rare artist who develops a new style

without first having worked in the style

of a master he or she has always admired

but actual skills aren't the only thing

you learn through modeling values

attitudes and behaviors are also passed

on from mentors to students

and whether you realize it or not you've

been a student of behavior all your life

as an infant you're eager mind quickly

grasped everything that was going on

around you you watched and later

imitated what your parents siblings

friends and teachers were doing if you

had good models models of integrity and

achievement most likely you grew up to

be an achiever yourself but if your

models reflected apathy or failure you

probably grew up to imitate many of the

self-defeating and negative behaviors

you witnessed in your early years most

of us had models who could best be

called middle-of-the-road

your parents may have had specific

skills and abilities they were proud of

but fell short of being a good example

to you in other ways an older brother or

sister may have possessed exceptional

talent in an area where you couldn't

possibly compete and as a result you've

probably been instilled with a mixture

of negative and positive attitudes about

yourself and your abilities to succeed

it's time for you to develop the kind of

positive outlook that is critical to

developing self discipline it's time for

you to throw off the cloak of self-doubt

and realize that when you acquire

self-discipline you have what it takes

to achieve your goal it's time for you

to use that self-discipline to develop

the knowledge and skills you need to

achieve and in order to do all those

things it's time for you to find mentors

who have already accomplished what you

want to achieve you're no longer a

helpless infant who can't pick and

choose good models to learn from as an

adult you have the intelligence and

power to go out and find the kind of

mentors who will inspire and teach you

with examples of their own persistence

and positive attitudes and behaviors by

the time we finish this session you'll

know how to find your own personal

mentors and use them to their fullest

ability and you'll be able to overcome

the negative attitudes and lack of self

discipline that have been holding you

back up until now you'll learn how to

identify your own personal role models

using historical figures and the people

surrounding you today you'll find out

how to actually

learn new attitudes and behaviors from

them you'll learn how to use them to

create a blueprint for your own actions

starting right now and more importantly

you'll learn how to draw inspiration

from them the kind of inspiration that

empowers your purpose what you want to

achieve with a sense of possibility if

others have achieved it and it's

possible for me to how do you go about

finding mentors at first glance it may

seem that there's nobody even remotely

accessible to you who has the same kind

of hopes and dreams as you do but high

achievers always find a way and so can

you

in our research we discovered that

achievers draw their inspiration from

role models in two ways indirectly from

reading and watching films and directly

through day-to-day observation and

contact let's first discuss how

self-disciplined achievers indirectly

find their mentors indirectly they learn

through media portrayals mostly through

the reading of biography and

autobiography reading profiles of

achievers in magazines and other

periodicals and watching inspirational

films and television programs you may

not be able to meet and talk to George

Washington Charles Lindbergh Margaret

Mead or Agatha Christie but each one of

them has left behind a legacy of

accomplishments that have been covered

extensively in print and film stop now

and think of all the people you've read

about heard about or seen portrayed in

films whom did you admire most

whose story elicited a throb of

recognition from you a feeling that if

you could be in any one shoes that was

the person you'd like to be it could

even be a fictional character a great

detective or explorer created by an

imaginative writer but there had to be

and still has to be someone you've

always greatly admired and wished you

could be like after he made the film

rocky sylvester stallone talked in an

interview about the power of mentors and

how his movie worked to inspire millions

of people around the world I think

there's a definite formula in reaching

audiences he said provide them with here

chosen heroines who have to pull

themselves up from the depths of despair

and as they struggle and claw and

finally attain their goal the audience

says that's the kind of person I want to

be still owns character Rocky is the

embodiment of a man obsessed with and

driven by a vision rich in emotion and

purpose a self-directed achiever who

overcame the odds through hard work

effort persistence and perseverance

browse through the New York Times

nonfiction bestsellers lists this Sunday

in your local paper you'll find that

half the books listed are biographies or

autobiographies Testaments to people of

enormous self-discipline and high

achievement examples of the power of

self discipline are all around you you

only have to visit your library your

local newsstand the closest movie

theaters or your local video store for

inspiration your first step in finding a

self disciplined mentor is to search out

books magazine articles and movies in

which the main characters fictional or

real have achieved something similar to

what you want to achieve and after

studying these people you can begin to

answer the questions what is it I must

do to achieve my goal what skills do I

need to learn how must I be --have what

actions do I need to take your mentors

will provide you with the answers the

self discipline have three direct

methods of finding role models to learn

from and emulate the first is through

personal acquaintances they may have a

friend whose business or personal

successes have inspired them to take

similar routes to the top or perhaps

there's a family member who has achieved

widespread recognition for outstanding

contributions to the community because

these mentors are close at hand they can

be watched from a front row seat you can

observe their attitudes behaviors and

thinking patterns you can notice how

they solve problems you can pay

attention to how they behave when

confronted with setbacks or victories

you can watch these mentors grapple with

the issues of everyday life and the

larger issue of achievement in a chosen

area

but sometimes there just aren't any

people who are that close to you who fit

the bill of the self-disciplined

achiever you must find other methods of

seeking out real life Mentors

the second way self-discipline people

directly find mentors is through what is

commonly known as networking networking

consists of building relationships with

the people who can introduce and expose

you to positive role models networking

is not to be confused with social

climbing the primary motivation of the

networker is to learn as much as he can

from as many successful people as he

possibly can the main benefit from

networking is the quality of the

contacts you can establish contacts that

will create greater opportunities and

put you in the mainstream of successful

self-disciplined role models the third

source of finding models directly is

apprenticeship learning directly from a

master mentor the concept of

apprenticeship may seem old-fashioned in

a world of computer assisted learning

and mass public education but most of

the high achievers we studied

apprenticed themselves in some fashion

to a mentor who could pass on his or her

skills through intentional personalized

learning apprenticeship is

extraordinarily common in the arts trade

crafts business medicine law politics

teaching and sports leave through any

encyclopedia and notice how many of the

achievers profiled learn their skills

under the tutelage of a master mentor

some people are obvious masters of their

craft and easy to pick as mentors but

sometimes it isn't so obvious especially

when it comes to business or

professional achievers how can you

choose among several possible candidates

how can you pick the person who is most

likely to provide you with the

inspiration and example you need in

section 2 you used an assessment form to

compare your own behaviors habits and

thought patterns against the ten

positive characteristics of a self

disciplined achiever on page 25 of your

study guide you'll find a similar form

that you can use to identify the

strengths and weaknesses of prospective

mentors with instructions on how to you

put this form to work for you as you

seek out that special person who can

help you achieve your most cherished

dreams and goals when choosing a mentor

of any kind pay particular attention to

how he or she developed the knowledge

skills and abilities it took to reach

his or her goal was their special

schooling involved particularly

dematerialization enter of his or her

own carefully sought out teachers how

many hours did your mentor work every

day toward achieving his or her goal

also pay close attention to your mentors

way of thinking be sure to choose

someone who handles stress and pressure

well someone who responds to difficult

problems by coming up with creative

solutions someone who loves what they do

but still finds time for important

personal relationships the highest

achievers work hard but are not

workaholics they still find time to

enjoy their friends and families look

for a mentor who has learned not to

waste time and it was mastered the art

of juggling a heavy schedule while

staying calm and in full control this

will be an important trait for you to

imitate and find someone who neither

capitulates to everyone around him nor

is so arrogant he won't listen to the

opinions of others you'll want to learn

how to listen well and then make your

own decisions in looking for all these

traits remember that your mentor is

still going to be human and have faults

this is one of the most important things

you can learn about your role model in

spite of great success wealth and the

admiration of friends family and the

community he or she makes mistakes just

like you rather than being disappointed

in your mentor you should rejoice over

his or her human failings because those

failings mean that anyone can succeed

just as they did if it was possible for

an imperfect person with one

all-important goal in life to make that

goal come true you can do it as well at

cyber vision systems we've developed a

number of sports training video

cassettes that use a new and

revolutionary learning technique these

video cassettes

some of the world's greatest athletes

highly self-disciplined achievers who

have won World Championships and Olympic

gold medals and in the casual

conversations we've had while working

with these athletic stars each one has

revealed that he or she had a mentor

whose skills attitudes and behavior

served as an example of how to achieve

one of the things that struck us during

these conversations was the fact that

most top athletes were just as

intimidated as you and I might be the

first time they met their role model

heroes for lack of a better word the

idea that a major league ball player of

undisputed talent might be quivering

like a school kid in the face of their

lifelong hero made us feel pretty normal

actually I think we all feel a sort of

psychological barrier when it comes to

measuring ourselves against our role

models but as the athletes we talked to

discovered that barrier can be overcome

quickly and easily each of them

described the eventual realization that

came from playing on a team with a

personal hero or from writing the same

pro-circuit

the realization as Olympic gold medal

skier jean-claude Killy put it everybody

puts his pants on one leg at a time what

each of them realized was that they too

could easily perform like the role model

they idolized the idols viewed close up

turned out to be as ordinary as the

worshippers they realized how great an

opportunity they had to learn from their

hero discovering that their idols were

human and fallible they began to believe

deep within their hearts that they could

equal or even surpass their idols

accomplishments though the role models

you choose have developed tremendous

strengths that have made them successful

they also have many weaknesses renowned

fiction writer Ray Bradbury for example

who was first published when he was in

his teens will never win the Monaco

Grand Prix or even a race to the local

supermarket why because he never learned

to drive a car a skill most of us

acquired long ago without thinking about

it twice

a friend of ours who was independently

wealthy

a local politician a publisher of fine

art books and a world traveler where his

finely crafted boots with all his

clothes even his business suits is it

part of his personal style yes but his

close friends know his secret

he never mastered the bow not this much

admired man literally cannot tie his

shoes recognizing how human and fallible

your mentor really is demystifying your

role model plays an important role in

boosting your confidence in your own

ability to succeed if a man who cannot

tie his shoes can become a politician a

publisher and a self-made millionaire

what couldn't you accomplish with the

same ambition and drive that got him

where he is this is a man who never let

minor shortcomings hold him back he and

a thousand other mentors will prove to

you that you don't have to be perfect to

succeed in fact you may be amazed to

find out that there are a lot of

similarities between you and your mentor

people with similar goals often think

alike the only substantial difference

then between you and your mentor is the

kind of self-discipline effort he or she

has applied to achieving a goal if you

apply the same kind of effort you can be

just as successful in achieving your

goal as a matter of fact you can try on

success for size by emulating your

mentors achievements while you're

working toward a similar goal remember

childhood dress-up games playing pirate

with a tinfoil sword and your mother's

scarf wrapped around your forehead

role-playing doesn't work only for

children it can give anyone who's

striving to reach a particular goal a

template to follow for achieving that

goal Hunter Thompson who broke new

ground in journalism in the 1970s with

his gonzo style picked up much of his

technique by imitating one of the

greatest writers in the English language

Charles Dickens Thompson literally sat

down and physically copied Dickens by

hand letting his mind and his muscles

get used to Dickens rhythm and style

hour after hour he copied Dickens prose

word for

bird and Thompson went on to become a

successful and popular contemporary

writer the great 19th century

psychologist and philosopher William

James contended that if you want to

acquire a positive habit or behavior

simply act as if you already have it and

you will

James was aware that the human nervous

system is incapable of distinguishing

between a physically real experience and

a vividly imagined one which means that

once you select your mentor all you need

to do is act just like that person in

order to be just like him or her

remember General Patton

he acted just like Alexander the Great

and he won battle after battle against

the axis what about Babe Ruth he

imitated Shoeless Joe Jackson and went

on to achieve much greater fame than his

role model or perhaps you've heard of a

fictional character named bunker beam

bunker beam was a timid weak boy raised

by his parents to think he would always

be a failure and he was he failed in

school he failed with his friends he

failed in everything he attempted until

one day bunker beam ran into a fortune

teller who told him he was the

reincarnation of Napoleon and was

destined to achieve great things

bunker beam was shocked that it was

usual apathy by this revelation going to

the library

he took out every book he could find on

the legendary Napoleon Bonaparte

he bought posters of Napoleon and hung

them up all over his room and as he

studied about the Emperor whom he really

believed was his former self he began to

imitate Napoleon's habits attitudes and

behaviors years later Bunker Bean was a

rich and powerful man he had everything

anyone could have asked for running into

the fortune teller one day he thanked

her for changing his life by telling him

about his former self and to his

astonishment she laughed and told him

she had lied to him years before just to

get his money he wasn't the

reincarnation of Napoleon after all

Bunker Bean was crushed but since he had

spent the many years acting like his

role model he found he couldn't shake

the habits of success he had acquired it

was then that Bunker being real

that everyone is born with a potential

to be a great achiever if they can only

believe they are you don't need a

fortune teller to set you on the road to

greatness you do need to find a mentor

study that mentor realize his or her

strengths and weaknesses and start

imitating the behavior that made your

mentor the success he or she is today if

you were an actor preparing for a

starring role you'd spend months

studying the script learning your lines

and rehearsing your part over and over

again until you knew it inside out only

then would you have the knowledge skills

and confidence to make a glorious debut

if as Shakespeare said all the world's a

stage then finding a mentor is your way

of choosing your own starring role for a

while as you closely observe your mentor

and learn the script you'll be just an

understudy but then one day the stage

will be yours acting as if has

remarkable suggestive power in a book

called the wind Walker which was made

into a powerful film an aged blind

Indian spends his days teaching the ways

of warriors sitting late at night

reflecting on the day's lesson and the

children's reactions to it he recites a

poem to the heavens part of which goes

and did you not see the glow of their

faces when he called the men when he

called them warriors and is it not so

that we become most quickly the persons

we think we are and later this passage

appears he was making the children feel

important that one day they could be

important that was the way of a teacher

of a true man once you select your role

models and learn about them and from

them you like the young Indian children

should feel important so that one day

you will be important this power of

importance you draw from role models is

really the power of possibility

once you learn about your role models

their strengths and weaknesses they

become real and human to you you stop

worship

and begin to believe that you can become

like them or even surpass them once you

make this realization then your purpose

becomes more real more possible and the

fires of desire fanned by the sense of

possibility begin to burn deep within

your heart and then and only then can

you successfully begin the process of

working persistently and progressively

toward your vision and purpose