A nice tip from an old Bottom Line Personal:

Finance writer Dyan Machan brings together success secrets from a bunch of notable successful people.

"Diane von Furstenberg, founder of a hugely successful clothing company (DVF), reminds herself that her mother survived a Nazi concentration camp.  Compared with that, what is there to be afraid of in a career decision?"

I used to think sometimes of a man who had survived the Blitz in London, who never again feared anything.  And in fact, DvF herself has long been one of my heroes. 

Another personal example: For some weeks once, while I was having a wrestle with a particularly difficult piece of fiction, I would stop and read a bits of a memoir by Lucy Daniels: With a Woman's Voice.    It's extremely revealing and covers some raw experiences.  I'd read a few minutes of this book and then think:  well, if she can write this about her own life, I can surely keep on with this made-up story. 

A particular role model may be useful for only a day, or for one narrow specific need.  Still the practice can be very valuable.

Just now I need to find someone who seizes my imagination and who models well doing first things first.  This person wouldn't put off the trickiest phone call until late in the day.  Note:  That part about the  imagination is also important; a role model doesn't work (for me, at least) unless I feel some sort of personal connection, some sense of spiritual or intellectual kinship, whether I know the person or not. 

Are you good at returning phone calls fast?  What's your system?