Dec 18, 2024–Young person! To be successful in life, you need to identify a mentor.
I wish I would have had a mentor. I guess I didn’t because 1) I was a shy child and didn’t want to bother any successful grown-up, and 2) when you are not sure what you want to be when you grow up, you don’t know who to approach. Do you ask a bartender, a banker, or a bass player?
Now, I realize, it wouldn’t matter what their profession. The people to ask advice of are anyone who is successful in any field.
So, though it’s too late to help me, I cast this question upon the waters of social media. What, I wondered, was the best personal advice you learned from a mentor? Many responses are common sense:
Listen more than you speak.
– Maureen
Focus and few. Balance and boundaries.
– Bill
Life never turns out the way you planned it.
– Connie
A few apparently did ask that bass player…
You’re a good guitar player, but I’d be happier if you listened to the song.
– Charles
The music is in the dotted note.
– Ian
Some mentors were more blunt than others…
Quit being stupid.
– Jim
Never marry a jealous man and always have separate bank accounts.
– Judith
Some more philosophical…
Nothing is as good or as bad as first reported.
– Joyce
If you step back and say “good enough,” you really know it’s not.
– Mike
There is no such thing as that one “right” choice that will set your life perfectly. You will always be making choices. If something isn’t working you can always make another decision, and another, and another…
– Lisa 1
Go see what you’re saying no to.
– Scott
Several focused on the use of time…
Timing. It’s all about timing in life, work, and growth.
– Jan
Be mindful of how you spend your time. Figure out what life you want in 10 years and then ask, is how I’m spending my time getting me closer to or further from that?
– Lisa 2
Be in the present! Tomorrow may not come. Makes me feel sad when someone says, “Some day I’m going to…”
– Nancy
Some heard positive advice…
Be your own kind of beautiful.
– Joette
Some heard harsh advice…
You don’t have to like it; you just have to do it.
– Lee
When you are through changing, you are through.
– Mike
Some heard pragmatic advice…
Just slow down.
– Richard
If you don’t want to do something, don’t learn how to.
– Julie
Some heard enigmatic advice…
Set climb thrust. Airplanes aren’t forgiving.
– Robert
All you can do is the best you can do.
– Linda
I agree with these two…
Write.
– Joshua
Buy hardbound books if you plan on rereading them.
– S.S.
If I were a mentor, here is my advice: Don’t listen to any advice.
XXX
Phil Houseal is not a mentor mentor and is owner of Full House PR. Contact him at phil@fullhouseproductions.net, www.FullHousePR.com.