Heroes - Then and Now

I want to make one more point about overcoming negative voices. I’ve talked about consciously imitating and being influenced and inspired by people whose deeds we admire. There are plenty of people I admire, but I thought I’d mention a few whom you will know.

Firstly, though, I feel I should give my reasons. If The Voice is all about our self-image, we need a way to strive for a self-image that’s more ideal for us. Believe it or not, we all do it in various ways. We read magazines and try to be more like the people we admire. As teenagers, we try to dress like our favourite rock stars, and so on. But a lot of this is just empty imitation. You can imitate the outward form of their lives, but that doesn’t mean you’re looking for the substance. It’s more productive and long-term to try to emulate qualities.

The people I’ve chosen actually tell me a lot about who the ideal Natalie Cook should be! I obviously have a personal scale of values, and they come out when I describe the things I admire about these people. So as you read the list on the next page, try the same thing. Pick a few people (say, three to five) whom you really admire and list their qualities. This list will tell you about the ideal you. It will help you to paint a picture of yourself in the future. It will give you something to move towards.

Michael Jordon

• Passion
• Strength
• Charisma
• Aggression
• Desire
• Inspires the world
• He Can Fly

Greg Norman

• Defies the odds
• Stays on top when people say he can’t
• Has great business sense and drive

Susie O’Neill

• Achieves quietly
• Always want to be her best

Kieren Perkins

• Believes in his own ability
• Determination
• Focus

Kerri Pottharst

• Always gives 100%
• Passion
• Ability to stay at the top for so long
• Determination

It would take a little more effort to then rate the qualities you consider most important, and then ask yourself why. But it’s worth it. By deciding to move toward all those attributes with every goal and every action, you will actually be writing yourself a new script. In fact, you’ll be rewriting yourself! Try it. Your self-image is a powerful thing.

Because this was written over ten years ago, I asked Nat to give me her heroes now in 2012. This is what she said.

“As I have got older I am amazed by every person I meet and the journey they are on! Each individual story is inspiring. Those in the spotlight like Jordan and norman are just easiest to see and read about. My family are my heroes for the way they faces challenges everyday and my partner Sarah for her discipline and passion that she has in everything she does!”