When we want to change ourselves for the better, we can have two powerful aids: motivators and models. Let’s understand their significant and distinct roles.

Motivation refers broadly to the energy, the impetus, the galvanizing force that pushes us to move from where we are to a better place. Motivators inspire us to overcome our lethargy, apathy and complacency — and to thereby strive to become better versions of ourselves. In contrast, models or role models refer to individuals who embody what we would like to become. They demonstrate through their words, actions and lives an example of how an improved version of us would be. If we compare self-transformation to a car ride, motivation provides us the fuel and model provides us the destination. 

Sometimes, the same person can be both a motivator and a model. Consider a teacher who is both professionally expert and personally helpful to the students — they may not just motivate us to become better students, but also serve as models who inspire us to become a teacher ourselves. But if teaching is not our calling, they may not be our model, yet they can be our motivator: seeing how dedicated they are to contributing to their students’ growth, we may feel inspired to become dedicated to contributing in the area where God has gifted us with some talents and interests.

Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita underscores the individuality of our nature when it cautions us twice (03.35, 18.47): act according to our nature —  don’t simply imitate another’s nature just because it seems appealing and don’t abandon the work according to our nature just because it seems troubling. If we believe that all our motivators have to be our models, we may put inordinate pressure on ourselves to do things that our psychophysical nature is just not oriented to do. And we will end up becoming not better versions of ourselves, but poorer versions of someone else. Why poorer versions? Because we will never become any other person; and in trying to become their exact replica, we will only become at best their poor imitations.

Once we appreciate that motivators can be separate from models, we open ourselves to a whole universe of positive influences, including from individuals in fields different from ours. Even on our spiritual journey, we can be inspired by saints from traditions other than our own without feeling that we have to take on their specific practices or conceptions. The philosopher-saint Bhaktivinoda Thakura asserts that on seeing how hard materialists work for material progress, he feels inspired to strive more for his spiritual progress. 

Indeed, such a vision can help us to see Krishna as the ultimate inspirer, acting through diverse ways, drawing us closer to him. krishnam vande jagad guru (Obeisance to Krishna, the spiritual master of the whole universe. 

Summary: 

When we accept someone as a motivator, but not as a model, we are not disrespecting them; we are simply respecting the nature that God has given us. 

Think it over: 

  • How are models and motivators similar and different?
  • How might presuming that all motivators have to be models affect us negatively?
  • All motivators don’t have to be models — how can understanding this empower you?

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03.35: It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.

Audio explanation of the article is here: https://gitadaily.substack.com/p/why-all-motivators-dont-have-to-be

To know more about this verse, please click on the image