Midway through my run the thought struck like lightning — stopped me dead in my tracks. Hands-on my hips, panting hard, I exclaimed, “But I’m not a writer!”
Like any hero who heeds the call to adventure, I decided to leave my comfortable, ordinary world and become a writer. I was reluctant and uncertain. If it hadn’t been for my mentor, my Obi Wan, I never would have survived the journey.
The hero needs a mentor
In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell profiles the stages of the hero’s journey shared by world mythologies. Campbell illustrates the inevitable arrival of the mentor once destiny has summoned the hero:
“The first encounter of the hero’s journey is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass.”
As I mentioned in the post “You Need More Than a Dream To Become a Writer”, I never thought about myself as a writer. When starting the journey I was well aware of the strikes against me:
- I lacked confidence in my writing skills;
- I lacked free time to write;
- I lacked role models;
- I lacked writing experience;
- I lacked knowledge of the writing craft; and,
- I lacked a writing strategy.
Basically, I lacked everything!
But what bothered me the most was the unknown, the traps and the pitfalls that a true expert in writing would know how to navigate.
Perhaps you remember when Luke Skywalker set-off to save Princess Leah. Luke knew it would be hard, but he was oblivious to the dark and sinister forces that wanted to destroy him. Luke wasn’t prepared for the trials facing him and he would have failed, but for his mentor, the wise and knowing Obi Wan.
The mentor prepares the hero
As I sat with my long list of deficiencies, I realized that a mentor would help me overcome what I didn’t know.
Hollywood screenwriter and author Christopher Vogler wrote in his book The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers:
“The function of Mentors is to prepare the hero to face the unknown. They may give advice, guidance, or magical equipment. Obi Wan in Star Wars gives Luke his father’s light-saber, which he will need in his battles with the dark side of the Force.”
Although his hair is red and he is quite a bit younger than Alec Guinness (who played Obi Wan in Star Wars), Jeff Goins arrived as my Obi Wan.
Jeff is a creative, best-selling author and speaker out of Nashville, TN. I read Jeff’s bestsellers and couldn’t get enough of his podcast The Portfolio Life, where he talks about how the lives of creative people actually work. I am very thankful Jeff showed-up early in my writer’s adventure.
The mentor’s 3 key lessons
Below are three key lessons this hero learned from his mentor.
Lesson #1: Everyone is creative. I needed to hear this message as I struggled with the identity of being a writer. “Creatives” in my mind were a special breed of human, with a particular type of DNA.
But as I listened to the stories on Jeff’s podcast, I began to see creativity in a different light. I thought about my ability to learn a complicated Chopin Prelude on the piano; the success I experience in my entrepreneurial business; and the creativity I demonstrate by solving problems for my clients and investors.
Lesson #2: Be vulnerable. I really struggled with this one because I’ve always been a private person. Vulnerability is an area where Jeff walks the talk — he is open about his struggles with image, faith, fame, and work.
I realized, though, that vulnerability demonstrates empathy. Vulnerability exhibits understanding. Vulnerability shows that you’re real and can be trusted. The truth is, people like to read about REAL people. I can draw the same analogy to my business — people hire me, they don’t hire my company.
Lesson #3: Everyone has something to offer the world. Whether it’s our creativity, our work, or our presence, we all have something inside of us that’s waiting to get out. We not only owe it to ourselves, but we owe it to someone in the world to share our gift.
So now I’m completely OK knowing that not everyone will be inspired by what I write. We are to create what we are meant to create for those that need to hear, read, and experience our thoughts and ideas. If our message impacts just one person in a life-changing way, then that’s all that matters.
My journey continues and I’m thankful for at least two other mentors who encouraged me, protected me, and shaped my vision. Those lessons, however, are for a different time.
Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. (Proverbs 15:22, NLTse)
Be wise and successful
1. Seek in humility. If you’re starting a new life adventure, admit that you need some help. Start networking to find one or more mentors who can help you. Key Point — If your adventure is something that you can do on your own, then your adventure isn’t big enough!
2. Remember your mentors. If people in your life have helped you accomplish something amazing, thank them. Send them a note and express your gratitude for their support and guidance.
3. Play it forward. The next time you’re talking to someone who can use your help, help them. It’s the biggest acknowledgment you can give to those that held your hand you along the way.
Do you want to live a happier, more successful life? I’m Greg, that’s my passion, and that’s what I explore on my blog. Read More…