Morpheus: Neo, sooner or later you’re going to realize just as I did that there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.
—Matrix, 1999.
As you know, the alchemy’s goal was to find a way to transform stones into gold.
That’s why alchemists used to search for what was known as the philosopher’s stone—a substance that would make dead stones or metals come alive and organically change their chemical composition into gold.
The mentor is like the philosopher’s stone—through direct interaction with someone with experience, you will be able to quickly and efficiently turn it into something like gold.
But the choice of a good mentor is crucial.
Her influence upon you can be deeper than you think.
If you choose poorly, you can end absorbing paradigms and conventions that don’t fit you at all and, even worse, it can confuse you later on, if not harm you.
Sometimes people err by choosing the mentor who seems the most knowledgeable, has a charming personality or more diplomas—all very superficial reasons.
So how to choose a good mentor?
Here are three factors you must consider when choosing a mentor:
First, choose a mentor aligned with your life’s purpose.
You should think of your life’s purpose, because the mentor you choose should be strategically aligned with this.
For instance, if you envision your path in a more revolutionary direction, you need a mentor who’s open, progressive and who’s revolutionary in her own way, no someone who’s closed and never took any risk at all.
Second, choose a mentor who’s ready to give you tough love.
Keep in mind that masters are those who have suffered to get where they are. They experienced setbacks in their own bones along the way. So are the ones who can not only gauge your progress, your weaknesses and the ordeals you’re gonna go through but also to give you tough love, if needed. Appreciate it.
Third, choose a mentor you admire.
When you admire someone (mostly because of their values and behavior), you pay deeper attention. Your mirror neurons are more engaged, allowing for learning that involves more than the superficial transmission of knowledge, but also includes a style and a way of thinking that is powerful.
Do you have a mentor? Why did you choose her/him? Let me know in the comments below.
Photo Source: Quartz