I think that it’s very easy to be seduced by the mindset of OTHER people who are confident about how they view the world, how the world works, and what is valuable in life.
For example, if you meet a friend who is really into having a good time and partying, you’re likely to become interested in similar activities. The strength of their convictions will naturally cause you to bend to their view of the world over time.
This could even take the form of viewing certain activities, like doing drugs, as “normal” because popular members of your friend group also do them.
Scary, huh?
Early in life, I think we naturally latch on to our parents as a leader figure. Their views bleed into our own. Their values influence our values. We come to believe that the entire world operates in a similar manner to the way our household operates.
Without having any real exposure to the real world, we have a high degree of uncertainty as to “how things are done” and what’s “normal.”
Monkey see, monkey do.
It’s very easy to convince yourself that, of course, you’re not caught in this trap. That could very well be true, in certain areas of life.
I personally rejected the religious beliefs of my parents. I saw a different world than they did and wasn’t shy to admit that. However, as I’ve become more aware of my own behavior, I’ve come to realize that I’ve certainly adopted their beliefs, norms, and world views in other areas of my life.
This could be as simple as purchasing a particular type of cereal because you were always fed it when you were younger.
In larger ways, this could include your views regarding money, relationships, the opposite sex, your role in society, family life, and more.
It’s unsettling to think that many of our own choices are simply made on autopilot. They’re based on systems of thinking that were established when we were very young.
As smart and driven as you are, no one has the mental capacity or time to actually question every single belief that they have. It would be utterly exhausting.
This can have devastating consequences.
You see, there’s something that I think many of the rulers in ANY society don’t want their subjects to know. They are no smarter than you. They’re just better at convincing you that they are.
A leader lays down a series of rules that their follows abide by. There is an underlying belief that this leader is, in some way, smarter or wise than you. Either because of the access they have to information or their sense of judgement, you should buy into their vision because they know what’s best.
Depending on which time period you go back to in history, these rules can change drastically. They are quite fluid.
The one constant, however, is the ability for the ruling class to SELL or convince others of their world view.
If you believe that you are going to heaven based on your behavior on earth, then you’re going to behave differently on earth.
If you believe that it’s your job to wine and dine a girl and earn a lot of money before you are “worthy” of her, then your life and self-esteem are going to be defined by these beliefs.
If you believe that “high status” individuals like lawyers, doctors, and accountants are inherently more intelligent than you and should be looked up to, then your experience in life is going to be much different than others.
Sell or be sold.
The truth is that everyone is a follower in some aspect of their life. We can’t all be leaders all of the time.
Even if you’re a CEO of a small startup company, you might look up to thought leaders like Mark Cuban for insights on business.
The important thing is to choose those that you follow very carefully.
If you want to be a leader, have 100% conviction in your beliefs and world view, even if you’re unsure. That is only thing that will cause others to naturally follow, because they believe that you have access to something that they don’t.