On Mentors

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by truly great people who have taught me many lessons. My mentors have come in all shapes and sizes, and there are a few things I’ve tried to remember to make the most of them.

Seek out the best

The best way to learn is from those who have “been there”—someone who has already navigated successfully through the peaks and valleys of life’s journey. These are the best kind of mentors. Many people claim to be experts, but almost nothing can compare to first-hand experience. No one reaches triumph without tribulation, so odds are whatever it is you are struggling with, someone has been in your shoes before and succeeded. Follow their lead.

Learn from everyone

Just because someone doesn’t have a Nobel Prize or Olympic gold medal, doesn’t mean they can’t be a mentor. Everyone has a nugget of wisdom to offer, the hard part is finding and extracting it.

Two summers ago, I worked landscaping with a bunch of tough, blue-collar guys. During the day, we busted our asses hauling timber and seed bags, and on the lunch breaks we did push-ups. Not only did I get stronger that summer, but I learned a lot from the guys. They worked hard all day and never complained. I still admire that.

You can find inspiration in the most unexpected places, from the most unexpected people. It’s always good to get a different perspective. Keep in mind that everyone has their own area of specialty.

Observe what not to do

Although I believe everyone has something to teach you, not all lessons are positive. Sometimes the best thing a person can offer is what not to do. If you learn from the mistakes of others, you can avoid repeating them yourself.

In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius reminds, “Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today inquisitive, ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable men.” This is a recurring topic and he constantly tells himself to rise above and learn from these nuisances.

Some of my best lessons have about come this way. People will make mistakes, they will be lazy, they will wrong you. If you don’t make a note of it, you may find yourself walking down the same dark alleys. The sooner you identify what you don’t want to be, the sooner you will get to where you want to be.