Modeling Success: The Fastest Path to Achievement
"The fastest way to succeed is to find the closest example of what you want to accomplish and model yourself after the person who achieved it."
📖 Nine-Figure Mindset – Brandon Dawson
Success leaves clues. The greatest athletes, business leaders, and high performers all share one common strategy: they model success. They find those who have already paved the way, study their habits, and replicate their strategies to accelerate their own growth.
Brandon Dawson’s quote from Nine-Figure Mindset hits home because it reinforces a principle that has been echoed time and time again: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Instead, you can shorten your learning curve and fast-track your progress by following the blueprint of those who have already done it.
But here’s the key—it’s not just about imitation; it’s about adaptation. It’s about taking what works, refining it, and making it your own.
So how do we take this principle and apply it in our daily pursuit of success?
Why Modeling Success Works
You know what? Success isn’t a mystery—it’s a process.
Ed Mylett breaks it down into three levels of progress:
✔ Motivation – It’s fleeting. It gets you started, but it won’t sustain you.
✔ Inspiration – Seeing someone else achieve success lights a fire inside you and pushes you to take action.
✔ Aspiration – This is the real game-changer. When you deeply study and emulate successful individuals, you begin to think, act, and execute at a higher level.
The best performers in the world—whether in sports, business, or life—find role models, learn from them, and integrate those lessons into their own lives.
Think about Kobe Bryant studying Michael Jordan’s every move. He wasn’t just watching highlights—he was analyzing footwork, training habits, and mentality. He modeled Jordan’s approach to the game and then built on it, crafting his own legendary career.
In business, the same principle applies. Entrepreneurs who study Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, or Elon Musk aren’t just admiring their success. They’re breaking down their decisions, routines, and strategies to apply them in their own ventures.
Finding and Modeling the Right People
Here’s the thing—not all role models are the right fit.
If you want to accelerate your success, you have to be intentional about who you study and what lessons you take away.
Steps to Model Success the Right Way
➡️ Find someone who has already achieved what you want. It could be a business leader, an athlete, a coach, or even someone within your industry who has reached the level you aspire to.
➡️ Study their habits, routines, and mindset. Read their books, listen to their interviews, follow them on social media, and pay attention to how they think, work, and make decisions.
➡️ Reverse-engineer their success. Instead of just admiring their achievements, break down the steps they took to get there. What did they do daily? How did they handle challenges? What systems did they build?
➡️ Connect and ask questions. If possible, reach out to them, join their communities, or engage with their content. Many high achievers are open to mentoring or sharing insights if you show genuine curiosity and effort.
➡️ Apply, refine, and make it your own. Don’t just copy—adapt. Take the best strategies, integrate them into your daily routines, and refine them based on your strengths and circumstances.
By following this approach, you don’t just hope for success—you create it.
Three Actions to Apply This Today
✅ Identify one person who has already achieved your goal and start studying their strategies.
✅ Implement one habit or system they use that aligns with your journey.
✅ Find ways to connect—whether through books, interviews, social media, or direct outreach.
Join a Community of Leaders Committed to Growth
Success isn’t a solo journey—it’s built on learning, adapting, and executing alongside like-minded individuals. If you’re ready to surround yourself with high achievers, join our community and accelerate your progress.
