I remember watching an interview with Usain Bolt on Top Gear and they were discussing some infamous words he has said after his world record race. After the race he was asked about his day and it went something like this: Wake up, decide to sleep a little more, wake up again, eat some chicken Mcnuggets, go home and sleep some more, watch some tv, go back to Mcdonalds and eat more Mcnuggets, set a new 100m world record.

How many of us are thinking “Hey I could do most of that!”? Really though, there is a reason I bring this story up and it certainly isn’t to promote Mcdonald’s. The Olympics are in town to celebrate the best in the world, people who have sacrificed it all to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence. These women and men are role models and icons, people we should look up to for inspiration and guidance. I just ask one thing: Do not forget they’re only people no different from you or me.

“Brad Pitt gets dandruff just like the rest of us, he just knows how to wear it”

I think we have created an almost caste system in our minds when it comes to celebrities, business leaders and top athletes. Why do we do this? Does separating what is being done by others from what we believe is possible for ourselves make it easier to criticize or to neglect our own dreams?  Let’s stop this right now. Brad Pitt gets dandruff when its freezing out just like the rest of us, he just knows how to wear it. No one is above or beneath you. Wait, pause, take that in. No one is above or beneath you.

When you place others above you it somehow makes it feel less wrong to gossip, criticize and tear into amazing individuals without regard for their feelings, lives or situations on the basis that they’re some superman celebrity. Critics, paparazzi and tabloids, please go die. It also creates imaginary roadblocks in your own mind as to what you are capable of and puts blinders up to the amount of work these individuals did to achieve greatness.

What’s my point here? Fantastic question. How would your own life, your dreams, goals and vision for the future if you viewed those who have achieved what you desire as equals, if you viewed everyone as equals? What if you grabbed breakfast with your business hero, had a quick lunch with your spiritual leader and finished the day with Dinner with your health guru? They’re all just people. Jump on it.

Next issue I will reveal a secret to you, a secret that will change your life and how you look at personal development speakers forever. Stay Tuned.

UPDATE: Catch part two of this article here.

-Dan Johnston