Observing the Person
Learn whatever you can about the person you are going to imitate. If this person is someone well known, read biographies about them, as well as articles. Watch interviews with them online and observe their mannerisms and personality. If you know the person, observe or listen to them regularly. Ask them questions about themselves to learn more about them. For example, if you admire a teacher, observe them in class and stop by office hours to talk to them.
Pinpoint what qualities you admire about them. It's important to understand why you admire someone so you imitate their best qualities. Think about how the person dresses, acts, and otherwise carries themselves. Ask yourself which traits you admire. Is it their personal style you admire most? What about the way they carry themselves? Do you particularly like the way they speak or their great sense of humor? Once you figure out what you like about the person, try imitating that. For example, try making the types of jokes the person would make if you like their sense of humor.
Spend time with the person, if possible. When you spend a lot of time with someone, you begin unconsciously imitating things like their voice. Making an effort to be around the person you're imitating will naturally make you speak and act more like them. If you admire a friend or classmates, try to make plans with that person regularly. Meet for coffee every Tuesday, for example. If you don't have a personal relationship with this person, you can do things like watch interviews with them online. While it is likely not as effective as spending one-on-one time with someone, you may take on some of their behavior if you watch videos of the person.
Emulating the Behavior
Be intentional about imitating the person. Do not be shy about the fact you're imitating someone. Many people feel they have to mask their imitations to appear original, but most people with a unique sense of style modeled themselves after others at one point or another. Do not be embarrassed that you're trying to imitate someone and own your decision.
Dress like the person. Dressing like someone you admire can help you feel more like them. Take a shopping trip and purchase the type of clothes and accessories the person would normally wear. A change in your wardrobe can result in a change in your attitude. However, don't copy their look exactly, especially if it's someone you know. If you wear the exact same clothes as a classmate, for example, they may take offense. Instead, strive to pick clothes that resemble the general sense of the person's style. For example, say the person wears a lot of bright colors. Pick brightly colored clothing instead of seeking out the exact same striped sweater a person wore to class one day.
Imitate their mannerisms. This should come naturally, to a degree, if you observe the person frequently. However, try to make a conscious effort as well. If the person you admire tends to tap their pencil, try to do that on occasion. While mannerisms are sometimes only surface-level gestures, imitating mannerisms may help you feel more like the person. This can encourage you to act like the person as well.
Put yourself in the mindset of the person you admire. In any situation, pause and think about how the person you admire would act. Try to act in a similar fashion. For example, you end up spilling a drink on yourself during lunch. While your first instinct is to get upset, the person you admire enjoys self-depreciating humor. Instead of getting angry, make a joke about yourself. Meryl Streep Meryl Streep, Actor There is a little part of you in every character you play. "Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there."
Imitate the person to overcome difficult situations. Imitation can help you get through difficult situations. If you encounter something stressful or scary, imagine you're the other person instead of yourself. This way, you can ignore your natural tendencies and weaknesses and come out strong. For example, say you're shy by nature and need to give a presentation. Pretend you're the person you admire presenting, who's generally outspoken. This will help you go into the presentation with confidence.
Keeping the Imitation in Check
Add your personal eccentricities to your imitation. As you get more adept at imitating your role model, you can start adding some of your own unique charm to your imitation. Make the imitation your own. For example, you admire that the person uses a lot of references when talking. Branch away from using their specific references. Make references to shows, books, and movies that you enjoy instead of simply leaning on their tastes.
Adjust their behavior so it feels natural to you. You want to add your own natural tendencies to the imitation. If you find yourself uncomfortable imitating some of their behavior, tweak your performance as needed to feel comfortable. For example, the person has a tendency to make big, loud jokes. While you enjoy making jokes, you don't love being the center of attention. Make jokes, but do so more quietly and with a smaller audience. Look for the ways that you already are modeling some of your role model's behaviors so you can.
Make sure you're not bothering the person. If you're imitating someone you know, pay attention to their body language and overall attitude around you. If the person seems to be avoiding you, or seems impatient when talking to you, they may feel annoyed by your imitation. Not everyone likes being imitated, and it's important to respect people's boundaries.
Avoid imitating negative qualities. No one is perfect. Even someone you admire may have negative qualities. Do not imitate qualities like a bad temper, a tendency to be rude to others, or anything else unsavory about the person. Stick to imitating their most admirable qualities.
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