When a mentor sees the thing you don't #Mentors

There was a time in my life when I was sure of everything.

Then there came a time when I was sure of nothing.

As I started out in the workplace I developed the bad habit of not being honest in my self-appraisal.

Call it false humility. Low self-esteem or just setting a standard too high. I could never cut myself the slack I naturally extended to others. It evolved into a habit of not being confident about my skill set and what I had to offer the world. Unfortunately like many immature people I probably over compensated with bravado or cockiness, all the time questioning myself.

This is where I had the unmerited favor to be found by a mentor. I have had more than one or two mentors along the way. Coming into my life for the season required. They had the ability to speak into my life at the right moment in the right way. They spoke in a way that was uplifting and encouraging without using false platitudes. They didn't take the shortcut of just trying to give an ego boost.

Along the way mentors have shared their time, their skill and allowed me to come alongside to learn. Some even put me in a position to execute in a way that would allow me to discover the things that they had seen from the very beginning.

​To be clear, I made and still make mistakes. True to form mentors are there with sensitive, honest feedback that allows me to continue the process of growth.

Today, while still on a journey of working hard with goal centered improvement, I am so very thankful for those that took the time to mentor me and set me on this path.
To all the mentors that see a spark and take time and effort to help fan the flame of development…I hope you get the opportunity to know the difference you make.

If you were made better by a mentor, take the time to make sure they know the difference they made. 

When we develop people, we develop families. We develop business and communities.

The rising tide lifts all boats.

We are all better because of it.