Traditional educational systems often kill the creativity required to succeed in the world that our children will inherit. It is rare to find people who truly enjoy and also excel in their work. These are people who are in their “element” everyday. The element is the spot where your talent meets passion. It is something you are good at naturally, and love doing so much that you lose track of time. The rewards do not matter. The journey itself is the reward.
A mentor, a coach or a sponsor – which one do you need? How are they different? The mentor talks with you, a coach talks to you and a sponsor talks about you. Sheryl Sandberg speaks about the importance of sponsors in her book Lean In.
The Element written by Sir Ken Robinson tells us how to hit that sweet spot and discover what you are a natural at, and can do better than anyone. When he interviewed singers like Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney or gymnasts like Bart Conner or the cartoonist Matt Groening (who created The Simpsons) he found they all had discovered what they had a knack for. Many spoke about finding a mentor who put them on the path.
Bart Conner could actually walk on his hands as a kid. Then he taught himself how to climb stairs while still being on his hands. Is it any surprise that Bart represented US in 1976, ’80 and ’84 Olympics? His wife is another gifted gymnast – Nadia Comaneci.
You cannot serendipitously find your element. A mentor can help significantly in your discovery.
Mentors play four kinds of roles that help us discover our passion.
Recognition
A mentor can identify skills others have not noticed. When we discover the exact field, there is a more precise match with our abilities. The mentor can help us discover our talent not in running but specifically in basketball or sprinting. The art teacher who can discover that while the student is very good in painting, it is really drawing cartoons that the protégé would excel in. Once that precise area is discovered, interest morphs into passion.
Encouragement
The mentor helps us believe that we can achieve what we believe to be out of our reach and impossible. Good mentors raise our sense of purpose and self-esteem.
Facilitating
Mentors offer specific tips and advice. These techniques pave the way for us and allow us to learn from our mistakes.
Stretching
Mentors push us past our limits. They prevent us from doing less with our lives than what we would if left unassisted. A true mentor reminds us never to be “average”.
If you don’t have a mentor, can you still find your element? Yes, you can but it is much easier with a wonderful mentor.
Have you been a mentor to someone? Did someone help you discover your element? Share your story in the comments below.
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