It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
MENTOR.
The quote below meant a lot to me this past week:
"You don't get anywhere of significance on your own. You get somewhere significant beside others." Tom Paterson.
The idea that other people have so much to contribute into my life, into my development, into my purpose is so important.
A definition of a mentor is "an experienced and trusted advisor".
When I look for mentoring or when I've looked in the past for mentoring, this is what I'm looking for... someone that has more experience than I have that I can trust! It's pretty simple, and I've had some incredible people pour into my life over all of my years of growth and development.
This past week, one of these people finished their earthly course, and moved on to eternity.
Jon Wallace is being celebrated by so many people in the circle of relationships we're in because he spent his life investing into others.
Jon was the Dean of Students at my college when Gina and I attended. He was friendly, approachable, encouraging and "real". When I served in Student Government, Jon challenged me in my leadership and helped me navigate some unknown waters that has impacted the way I've led. When Gina and I graduated and then were planning to be married, we asked Jon to do our pre-marital counseling. We still remember things he challenged us with over 33 years ago.
Our 3 kids all benefitted from Jon's leadership at the University, and Jon's legacy will go on through his family and through the thousands and thousands of students and staff he impacted.
Jon was a mentor of mine. Both in person, back when I was in school, but also from a distance as I watched his leadership and saw the results of that leadership.
I've been thinking this week of some other people that were mentors of mine back during those days.... Carolyn, Jim, Guy, Bruce and others. People that impacted my life along with Jon in deep ways, but people that really have no idea about the impact they made all those years ago.
Of these people, Jim Burns is the one "life mentor" that I continue to connect with on a regular basis, but the others I've lost track of. These are people who had a profound impact on my life, my leadership and my legacy.
Today I'm thankful... not just for Jon, but for a group of other people who I'm proud to call MENTORS. I don't take their investment in me lightly, and as I get older, their role in my life is even more important.
I challenge you to consider the people that have mentored you. Have you thanked them? Have you kept in touch with them? Do you realize the value that has come to your life from these people investing in you?
"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." John F. Kennedy
"Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor." Lailah Gifty Akita
"When one person mentors, two lives are changed." Kevin Sessums
Things I'm Reading, Listening To, an Watching This Week:
This YouTube video is called This is Jon. It's a quick look at the man and character of Jon Wallace.
Gina and I really enjoyed Tom Hanks new movie, "News of the World". You can stream it now online, but here's a look at the TRAILER.
Tim Ferris interviews 2 great swimmers, Michael Phelps and Grant Hackett. An interesting conversation about training, counseling and friendship. I really enjoyed it. LISTEN HERE.
Years ago I used to get emails from Mike Atkinson. He would share a joke or a funny story. I lost track of him, and this week I discovered again, Mikey's Funnies. You can subscribe for a daily joke that's clean and fun.
This past week, we discovered Instacart for the first time! Had some groceries and medicine brought to our house. Why haven't we done this before! If you live in the US, I encourage you. Try it HERE!
OK, this is one of the funniest Shark Tank Pitches I've ever seen. See this pitch breakdown from Inc. HERE.