Are you in the Modelling Club...?

As 2013 approaches – we will be thinking about what the year will look like, what will we achieve, who we will be with and how we can make things better…

Some of us will look to others for inspiration and guidance – seeking to “model” their behaviour, attitudes and skills such that our outcomes will be the same as theirs; the principle being that if we create the same causes, then the same effects are sure to be the result.

CAUSE = EFFECT

There are all types of Modelling Clubs out there that can be joined, from the motivational and inspirational through to the bizarre and unusual – from Tony Robbins to Harry Palmer if you like…

In fact if you are really into Modelling in a big way, you can even buy a Franchise – perhaps the single greatest tribute that can be laid at the altar of Modelling behaviour...

I remember being on a train returning from my one and only visit to a Three Day event in Docklands, London. Sat opposite to us was another couple wearing the same “access armbands” from the event – so a conversation looked inevitable…

We were asked if we enjoyed the event, what we had learned, and what we would do differently as a result – pretty deep for a chat on a train. These are the sort of questions that Modellers love asking, and we were downtown in Modelling central…

Turns out that this couple attend the same event every year, in fact they have travelled the world spending £000’s on events, CD’s books and memberships – they had spent their life and income learning how to Model the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of the super successful such that they would be super successful too..

And what did they do…?

He worked shifts in a car factory, and she worked at Tesco – they had done for some years, but they were convinced that next year would be the breakthrough year for them.

There is nothing wrong with factory or shop work – I have spent years doing both – but there is a something wrong with the formula for success if it doesn’t move people forwards...

So why do so many Modelling enthusiasts never actually achieve anything…?

Because there are a THREE missing parts to the equation that conveniently get overlooked – and their omission not only guarantees failure, but ensures dependency on the cult of “Modelling”  (there is no such thing as failure only feedback for example – so you obviously didn’t model well enough – time to buy another program and come back next year…)

FIRST – the Environment is different. If I was to do exactly what Richard Branson did and start out buy opening a Record Shop, I doubt that I would end up being a Billionaire, and the reason is that things have changed. 

SECOND – People are different. We have different strengths and weaknesses, we need to play to our strengths, not overcome the weaknesses. No amount of Modelling behaviour will compensate for these differences; it just produces a synthetic mask, which crumbles away as soon as any pressure is applied to it.

THIRD – the Start and End points are different. We all start from a different place and want to end up in a different place too – the problem (oops – can’t use the “p” word...) challenge is that we are encouraged to attain other people’s goals using other people’s techniques.

The same cause does not amount to the same effect, because of these variables – and the quicker the Modellers realise this then the better the results will be...

So, how do we achieve more if just copying doesn’t work…?

Simple, stop thinking about the magic formula that will fast track success – roll your sleeves up and go to work being prepared to spend a few years achieving your overnight success – and stop it with all the repeat seminars…

Have a happy and successful 2013...