A mentor. What does that look like? According to the Oxford American Dictionary it means we’re, “A trusted advisor.” If someone walked up to a person and asked, about you, me or others, “Are they good mentors?” what would be the response? Yes? No? Often? Sometimes? Rarely? Never?
That thought jumped into the scrambled brain of an aging jock from Missouri recently while staring at a sheet of paper. I was pondering a question. It came from the Raytown, MO., Schools Hall of Fame. In a few months, a blessed father of two great kids and writer of this Pep Talk is being inducted along with five others. The Hall wants information.
The election crew wanted to know this: “What are the top three to five honors or accomplishments you SPECIFICALLY want to mention as we create our programs?” The question sent brain zipping back through time. A few things came immediately to mind.
However, the question sent me into deep reflection while duties as facilities manager required errand trips on a scorching hot Centennial State weekend day in early August. Time to think about this. Okay, they’re inducting you into a Hall of Fame and they want to know the top three to five honors and accomplishments from more than five decades on the planet?
It took a while, but during a stroll through Home Depot - I’m gonna work there one day - looking for some wire mesh for gardening issues, it hit me like a ton of bricks. The number one honor or accomplishment? I’ve had great mentors.
All along the way. From a sports-dominated childhood in a wonderful community, to crazy college after the injury, to devoted friends who encouraged me to chase sportscasting dreams, to supportive friends who demanded perseverance despite the pain of family breakup, to like-minded parents passionate about caring for teachers to everyone, like you, who reads these Pep Talks and support Victory Productions. I’ve been blessed with great mentors along the way. Thanks!
As the list became clearer, it dawned in my mind that the remaining honors and accomplishments, after great mentors, were a result of the leadoff hitter. Encouraged, cajoled and instructed, through great mentors - parents, coaches, teachers, advisors, friends and others - to go for it. As I like to say in live Pep Talk presentations, “Run to Daylight.” Here’s the rest of the list: spark the creation of a foundation supporting teachers, a company dedicated to helping others achieve goals and overcome challenges, help deserved kids receive quality after-school activities and through many twists and turns, enjoy a long-time Denver television and radio career. The endeavors have ranged from wildly successful to no longer in existence. What a ride.
All along the way, often with me stubbornly resisting, great mentors have been trusted advisors giving me hope and confidence for the sometimes rocky road. Life rarely goes as planned, right? That train carrying those best-laid plans gets knocked from the tracks. Derailed. It’s good to have folks around who lift our spirits, apply salve to the wound and kick us in the butt while saying, “What the heck are you doing knucklehead?”
Great mentors. What an honor to possess. It’s number one of my list. You?
While driving back home from also picking up a new print cartridge a reality crashed into cranium: Are we trying like heck, despite the distractions of life, to be THAT kind of mentor to someone else?
Mentors, call ‘em trusted advisors, are so necessary for our success. We can’t do anything alone. We need folks along the way to light our path. Shelter us from the storms. Pull us away from the cliff. Join us in a leap of faith in casting fear and self-doubt aside and allowing courage and wonderment to win in moving beyond life’s challenging moments.
Great mentors. The question becomes, will that define our lives this week? Will we light another’s path? Shelter someone from the physical, emotional or financial storm? Pull someone from the cliff of despair? Stand shoulder to shoulder with another in getting a big running jump and LEAPING into the future with a sense of wonderment to the possibilities?
A great mentor. We just never know what kind of healthy and productive influence we can have on another’s life. I can only speak for myself but, man, what a blessing to have such support. This Hall of Fame’s for them.
Trusted advisors. Let’s be one this week!
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