(1) Having a hero can be risky. If you admire someone too much, it can really hurt when they don’t like how you followed their ideas.
You might ask yourself: “How can someone I respect so much dislike the path I took when I followed their way?”

(2) Let’s say I really admire Steve Jobs. I want to be like him. I start copying his ideas: he liked simplicity, so I like simplicity. He loved great design, so I do too. He was bold and direct with people, so I try to act the same.
To me, he becomes perfect. Maybe I even have more heroes like him. Slowly, their way of living starts shaping my own.

(3) Following a hero isn’t always wrong. But what happens if your hero doesn’t like your work?
Imagine I create something and excitedly show it to Steve Jobs. But he laughs, criticizes it, and says I misunderstood everything.
That would feel terrible and embarrassing.

(4) If a stranger rejects your work, you might brush it off and say they just don’t get it.
But if your hero rejects it, it feels much worse. You might begin to doubt everything you’ve believed in.
That’s why it’s dangerous to put someone so high on a pedestal. We can’t control how our heroes will react.

(5) If you let a hero define your goals and values, what happens when they reject you?
It’s smarter to follow strong ideas instead of following people.
People can change or be wrong. Good ideas stay true.

(6) One day, you may find out that your hero is not perfect. Maybe they made mistakes or did things that shock you.
That’s when you realize they’re just human, like you and me.

(7) So here’s a simple rule to live by:
Don’t make anyone greater than yourself.
Trust your thoughts. Respect your own values.
Believe more in your ideas than in someone else’s lifestyle.

As Nietzsche wisely said: “Become who you are.”