“I am not a role model.” If you were a basketball fan in the 1990′s you probably remember that line from a Nike commercial featuring Charles Barkley. 
The point of that commercial was to say that pro athletes are not role models. That is the job of parents, teachers, community leaders, etc.
Although I understand the message that was trying to be conveyed, I disagree. I think that everyone single one of us is a role model.
If you are a parent, you by default are a role model. Your kids will watch you like a hawk and mimic your words and actions. I have a 9, 5, and 3 year-old daughter so believe me I know. My mom and dad are now in their 70′s and I still see them as role models. To this point, I agree with Charles Barkley that parents are true role models.
Teachers, managers, and everyone in a leadership position also act as role models. That is fairly well accepted too.
But what about everyone else? The average Joe working 9-5? The entrepreneur out hustling? The retired grandma? The out of work college graduate? Are they role models?
We are all role models.
I don’t care if you are a parent, teacher, firefighter, custodian, unemployed, recording star, bus driver, contractor, or an insurance agent. You are a role model.
At any given moment someone is watching you. They are watching how you act, how you live, how you handle victory, and how you respond to defeat. Not only is somebody watching you, they are taking mental notes.
Your challenge, if you choose to accept, is to be an inspiration to everyone around you. You get to decide. You have the power to be an influence regardless of your situation.
Numbers Do Not Matter
It does not matter if you are inspiring an audience of 10,000 or a friend of 1. You have the opportunity to lift someone or push them down.
You could be on stage in front of thousands or at sitting at your cubicle. Your status does not matter. Your title doesn’t matter. What matters is how you live each day, each hour, and each minute.
Make a Difference
I firmly believe that we were all put on this earth to make a difference in other’s lives. We were not put here to simply breathe, eat, and mumble through life. Humans are special because we have thoughts and emotions. We are all connected. Our actions or inactions do affect others. In today’s technology world, we are more connected than ever.
The choice is yours. You can make every interaction whether in person, on phone, or online positive or negative. You can make someone’s day better or worse. You can be an inspiration or cause perspiration.
Step up. Be heard. Smile at everyone. You make just make their day. The choice is yours.
Do you agree? Do you think that we are all role models? Sound off.
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