Who is your role model? What role models are important for success?

If someone approached you and asked you questions, «Who is your role model?» What would you say? Can you think of anyone? When you're young, there's always someone you're inspired by. Whether it's one of your parents, your favorite teacher, an older sibling, or someone you see on TV.

This person helped shape and mold you. And when life got tough, you looked to them to help you find your way. Fast forward to adulthood, and it's still just as essential to have good role models in your life if you want to be successful. Here's why, plus tips on how to find one.

Why you need a good role model

Think about all those big, bold dreams you want to achieve. Maybe you want to build a successful business, retire early with a net worth of $2 million, or simply live a more authentic life.

Whatever your goals, good role models show you what's possible. They light the way ahead and inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and achieve it.

Think of good role models as lighthouses on the ground. When you are in the middle of your journey and don't know what to do next, they serve as the beacon of light you need to keep going.

Characteristics of good role models

So what makes a good role model, you might ask? Here are some characteristics of a role model to look for:

Good models are confident and optimistic

Good role models give you the confidence and optimism you need to pursue your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. They make you think, «If [INSERT NAME OF GOOD ROLE MODEL] can do it, so can I!».

And through this confidence and optimism, they help you unlock your full potential and achieve your dreams. And in turn, they open the door for you to become a role model for the next person who comes after you.

Good role models are reportable

Being related is one of the most essential aspects Characteristics of a role model. Good role models are those you can relate to. Their story resonates with you, and you see a part of yourself in them. You are drawn to them because they are not afraid to show you their mistakes, their messes, and their struggles.

They admit that life is a bumpy ride and aren't afraid to tell you that they're still figuring it out on their own. Because they're so relatable, good role models show you that even if you make a mistake or misstep, it's okay to pick yourself up and keep trying.

Good models are <strong>success</strong>

When I say good role models are “successful,” I don’t mean they are rich or famous. Rather, they mimic the kind of success you’re trying to achieve. If you’re currently paying off $50.000 in student loans on a $40.000 salary, a positive role model can be someone who has been in your shoes.

Maybe they've paid off a similar debt with a similar salary and are now on a mission to help others do the same. Because you can see them as a positive role model, paying off your debts no longer seems like an impossible task.

If you can think of someone who has achieved (or is on their way to achieving) a goal that you want to achieve, they can be the positive role model that guides you to success.

Good role models looks like

When you have role models who look like you, you are more likely to believe that you have what it takes – as a woman, as a person of color, as a first generation wealth creator, etc. – to be successful. You see a part of yourself in them, and that makes you work even harder to achieve your goals.

Hay so many studies that show how important representation is when it comes to achieving success. For example, one study found that black students who only have one black teacher in elementary schools are 13% more likely to graduate from high school.

Having even one black teacher in high school was also found to raise your expectations for college.

Social psychological research has found that gender stereotypes (such as thinking that women should play caregiver roles and men in STEM) can greatly influence the goals a young woman sets for herself.

In other words, if you don't see women becoming scientists, engineers, and CEOs of large companies, you're less likely to want to pursue those things.

But when you have positive role models who seem to achieve the impossible, you suddenly have someone to emulate and admire.

How to find a positive role model

Okay, so by now you're convinced that you need positive role models in your life, but how do you find them? Here are three places to look:

Address your inner circle

Start by looking at the people closest to you. Do you have a family member, friend, or colleague that you look up to for inspiration? Maybe you have a friend who saved $100.000 in three years, and she inspires you to be better with your finances.

Or maybe your boss is a strong, confident woman who has overcome a world of hate and discrimination to get to where she is, and you want to follow in her footsteps one day.

Maybe your sister is an amazing single mom, and you draw inspiration from her because you feel like you're fighting for her.

Get inspired by books and the big screen

Your role models don't have to be someone you know personally. They don't even have to be a real person. Is there someone you've read about or seen on TV who has the characteristics of a role model you're looking for?

Maybe you like Hermione Granger from Harry Potter because she's smart, confident, and brave. Maybe you like Celie from The Color Purple because she goes from being weak and abused to being bold, independent, and confident. You can find positive role models almost anywhere!

Look at famous people and historical figures

History is full of amazing people who blazed new trails and forged new paths despite the odds stacked against them. Is there anyone (past or present) who inspires you? If so, take some time to learn more about them.

Add their autobiography to your reading list, read articles about them, or see if there is a docu-drama you can watch on TV. See what hard lessons or motivation you can take from their stories.

10 examples of healthy role models

There are hundreds of serious examples of healthy role models that you can draw inspiration from. Here are ten examples to get you thinking…

1. Amelia Earhart

Amelia was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic OceanAlthough she disappeared in 1937, she remains one of the most memorable female models known.

2. Sally Ride

In 1983, Sally made progress for women around the world because She was the first American woman in space!

3. Marie Curie

The first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her work on radioactivity and her contribution to the treatment of cancer. Marie was also the only woman winning the nobel prize twice!

4. Malala Yousafzai

Malala was a Pakistani activist for women's education and survived an assassination attempt by a Taliban gunman. She is one of the world's bravest women and most positive role models.

5. Michelle Obama

She was the first black woman in US history. to be elected as First Lady. She is also an advocate for healthy living, girls' education and women's empowerment.

6 Oprah Winfrey

Despite being born into poverty, Oprah's tenacity made her the richest black woman of all time. She is also one of the most powerful women in the media.

7 Serena Williams

She is one of the best tennis players in history and one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

8. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)

He is not afraid to speak his mind and has inspired countless Millennials and Gen Z to get involved in the political process.

9. Kamala Harris

Kamala is the first female vice presidentthe first black vice president, and the first Asian American vice president.

10. Sokunbi Ball

Our Founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, which is one of the largest personal finance platforms for women.

Examples of positive role model bonuses

Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez or anyone another celebrity whose actions have inspired you to be a better person.

Try this exercise: write down the 3 positive patterns of your life right now!

Even if you can't think of any good role models in your life, I bet there are people you haven't thought of yet. If you want to do a little self-reflection and figure out who they are, try this exercise! It should take about 10 minutes tops.

1. Think about the three biggest inspirations in your life.
2. Write their names on a piece of paper.
3. Under each of their names, write your five favorite qualities about each of them.

When you review your list, you may find that each of them has something you strive to achieve. Perhaps you admire someone you follow on Instagram because he is bold and honest and is not afraid to speak his mind.

Maybe your positive role model is your mother, because she is an extremely optimistic person despite all the hardships she went through in life, and she always made you feel seen, heard, and valued when you were a child.

Who is your role model?

Now that you know the characteristics of a role model and some examples, “Who is your role model?” As you reflect on who your role model might be, you may find that you have a different role model for each goal you are trying to achieve.

One person may inspire you to make your money work. One person may be able to inspire you to travel further. Another person may inspire you to travel further.

It's okay to have multiple role models, just as it's okay to outgrow one model and decide it's time to move on to another. Most importantly, seek out guidance from others on your path to success.

Knowing your goals and values ​​can allow you to find healthy patterns that align with what you want. Get our free online course to learn the best ways to achieve your financial goals.

Tune in to the Smart Girls Know podcast for financial inspiration and planning big goals You Tube Channel