Mentorship is a luxury. A great mentor relationship requires many favorable conditions – chemistry, good timing, and proximity among them. And, yes, when it works, it can have a magical effect on the learning curves of both the mentor and the mentee. But, so much of finding that great mentor relationship is outside our control that it is a reactive approach to learning at best, and lazy at worst.
Great influences, on the other hand, are all around us. We have more access to admirable folks than ever before. The life, work, and thought processes of luminaries like Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Marcus Aurelius are just a book away. That person you admire likely has a blog, a book, or an active twitter account. If we are the average of the five folks we spend our time with, it is easier than ever to be exceptional by simply letting ourselves being influenced by the wisest minds in human history.
The best part about great influences don’t have to be famous people. Your inspirational co-worker or parent can do the job as well.
We can, of course, wait for that great, uber successful, mentor to pick us and continue to let ourselves off the hook until they do.
Or, we can go seek great influences, learn from them, and keep plugging away.
Our choice.
A Learning a Day 