Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself. —Eleanor Roosevelt
Whether in our relationships, finances, or personal achievements, having a mentor can be an invaluable way to navigate towards our full potential.
Eleanor is right. We don’t have time to learn everything the hard way. Success leaves clues, so make time to engage a wise counselor. Someone who may not tell you exactly what to do but can shine a light on what is possible. Sometimes the answer is right in front of us, but we need an outside perspective to help us see it.
This past weekend, my family and I spent some time canoeing on the Churchill River. Along for the adventure was a friend of my daughter’s visiting from Australia who had never been in a canoe before.
We ended up putting the newbie in the canoe with me, as I had the most experience in the group. Sitting in the back, my role was to provide direction and make small adjustments as we travelled through the water. She was eager to learn, listened closely, and before long was confidently paddling and contributing to the journey.
It struck me that mentorship works much the same way.
We can all benefit from sitting in the front of the canoe from time to time, learning from someone who has travelled a particular stretch of river before us. Their experience helps us avoid unnecessary detours and navigate challenges with more confidence.
But we also have opportunities to sit in the back of the canoe, sharing what we’ve learned with others who are just beginning their journey. Both roles are valuable, and most of us will find ourselves in each seat at different times in life.
So, here’s a simple challenge: identify one area of your life where you would like to improve and seek guidance from someone you admire. Then look for an opportunity to share your own experience with someone who could benefit from it.
No matter how successful I’ve been, I’ve always had coaching. —Michael Jordan
Does your financial plan need a review? If so, “Just do it” (another Jordan-related quote!).
We are here to help.
