I was out with my son by the local elementary school playground and a bunch of young teens came to hang out on the swings.
I heard one kid call another a chicken. Then I saw him swing very high and jump off. I noticed the other young teen didn’t want to join in.
Once the first kid started calling him a chicken, the other two boys jumped in and before you knew it the other kid jumped off too. They all clapped and the kid had this huge smile on his face.
He was challenged and met the challenge even he didn’t think was possible.
Who do you have in your life that is willing to call you a chicken? Someone who is willing to challenge you to do something uncomfortable that is filled with a ton of learning potential.
If you don’t have anyone calling you a chicken as you try to grow your business/life then it’s time you found someone to help push your superpowers to their most amazing best. Great mentors are hard to find, but vital to your growth.
Hi Karl,
Great observation. One reason why it is hard to find a good mentor is that there are not that many. I had several bosses in my life but only few were real mentors who tried to challenge me and push me forward. Honest feedback is a key for a good mentor and ability not just praise but also provide some good feedback what person can do better. Do you have good mentor? How did you find him? How do you work with him? Maybe you can advise.
Thanks… Mark
Hi Mark,
The best way to find a mentor is to build relationships with people you admire. Every mentor that I have gives different levels of commitment. Some are willing to talk with me on the phone at almost any time. Others want a more distant relationship.
I found mentors through friends, online relationship building and interviews. The idea is to feel people out, don’t just come right out and ask them to be a mentor. Be willing to help them in some way by giving them feedback or offering to do some work for them. Eventually a mutually beneficial relationship starts to build and it’s not all about them helping you, but creating a relationship that helps both people.
Thanks for advice. There is one particular mentor in my work. Senior manager who is really one of the top I have met so far and I admire his work and approach. I will definitely try to stick around him and as you said try to provide him with some added value as well. Thanks,
So true. I read a quote the other day that said something like life begins at the end of your comfort zone and any good mentor would direct you to strive for that.
Hi Lea, That’s a great quote. Mentors are so important to our success. Each mentor helps with different facets of our lives.