In this post, we’ll unpack all you need to know about modelling, defining exactly what it is, its adaptive role in evolution, the power of it, how to model and more.
What Is Modelling?
Modelling is the process of recreating any result by consciously and intentionally replicating the behaviours of someone who has already achieved that result.
“Success leaves clues, and if you sow the same seeds, you’ll reap the same rewards.” ― Brad Thor
The Evolutionary Perspective
From an evolutionary perspective, modelling is how we learned to survive in the world.
For our ancient ancestors, modelling the behaviour of others enhanced their ability to successfully fit in with larger groups and allowed them to learn how to use tools and acquire language.
“A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others.“
The Science
Humans naturally model each other ― a phenomenon that results from the brain’s mirror neurons.
Specifically, we imitate the behaviours of three primary groups; The Close (proximity), The Many (majority) and The Powerful (authority).
As children, we rely on learning and modelling the behaviours of our parents or guardians in order to adhere to the social, cultural and environmental norms.
“Mimicry triggers the release of dopamine in the brain of both the person modelling and the person being modelled.“
The Power Of Modelling
When we want to achieve any type of result in our lives, there are two strategies we can pursue; we can either go it alone using trial and error and hope we eventually reach our goal, or we can use modelling to consciously reproduce the behaviours of someone who has already achieved the results we want.
Modelling not only makes us more effective, but it saves us time, energy and pain by allowing us to learn from the experiences of others. Modelling — what it takes someone a lifetime to learn you can learn in no-time.
“The quickest way to achieve any result is to find someone who has already achieved that result and then model their behaviours.“
3 Steps To Successful Modelling
We can successfully apply the power of modelling to master any skill in 3 simple steps:
- Identify someone who has already achieved your desired result.
- Determine the behaviours that lead them to achieve your desired result.
- Model the same behaviours until you achieve the same desired result.
For example, if you desire a specific physique, find someone who already embodies that physique and then discover what they had to do to get it. What are their beliefs? What rituals do they have? Once you know what it takes, you can then model the same behaviours yourself to recreate the same result.
People that succeed do so in the same ways. People that fail do so in different ways. Successes are alike. Failures are unique.
Summary (TL;DR)
Modelling refers to the process of decoding and replicating the behaviours of someone who is already getting the results we want, so we too can achieve the same results.
It provides us with an effective and systematic strategy of achieving any outcome and exponentially accelerating the speed of mastery, in turn saving us time and energy.
