To succeed in life, it helps to be inspired by role models—people who show us what’s possible. But sometimes we choose role models who feel so far beyond our reality that their success seems unreachable. Think of Abraham Lincoln. He accomplished extraordinary things, and he did it with only one year of formal education. It’s amazing—but for most of us, it’s almost impossible to relate to. We look at him and think, Well, that’s great, but I could never do that.
But when we know someone in our real life who has done something impressive—a friend who dropped out of school but never stopped learning, or someone who built a business without a fancy degree—that hits differently. Suddenly the idea of success becomes relatable. We think, Maybe I could do something like that too. We might say, “I never studied computer science, so I could never work in tech,” or “I don’t have an MBA, so how could I start a business?” But why not? You are never too old to learn something new. As James Clear said, "Formal education is not nearly as important as an unquenchable thirst to learn."
Instead of comparing yourself to Oprah or Winston Churchill—people you’ve never met and can’t personally relate to—look closer. Look at your life. Look at your circle. Maybe it’s your immigrant uncle who came here with nothing and built a business. Maybe it’s your neighbor who wrote children’s books even though they don’t have kids. Real people. Real stories. Real effort.
We are surrounded by examples of greatness, but we only notice them when we look for them. Those relatable role models are far more powerful than the famous ones. They teach us something more important than achievement—they teach us the mindset of learning, growth, and persistence. Learning isn’t a goal you reach. It’s a way of living. And the people closest to you may be the best teachers you’ll ever have.