Heroes vs. Mentors
I guess being my dad’s daughter, I caught the love of sports, especially college basketball at an early age from my father. In the early 80’s there weren’t a lot of regulations for children and sporting events, so I went to every Louisville basketball game until I could no longer sit on his lap. I started idolizing these athletes and then it spilled over into the rest of my life. A girl at school become my hero, this person on tv amazed me, and I wanted to be just like my aunt when I grew up.
There was a point in high school that I really discovered that all I had were heroes. I looked up to them, wanted to BE them, but didn’t have any investment from them into my life. The first woman that started to mentor me was Liz…I did not always agree with her and I hated when she said I wasn’t investing in the right people or the right things. Liz noticed the potential I had and refused to give up on helping me be the best follower of Christ I could be. She was not my hero, and I did not want her life. But I did desire to have her unwavering heart for God’s people.
Paul choose Timothy to go with him on his journeys, and as a result of their relationship those in Jerusalem were “being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” Acts 16:5
In his book, A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring, John Wooden describes several types of mentors: professional mentors, leadership mentors, and spiritual mentors. John Wooden has spent time with heroes (being the most successful NCAA basketball coach in history) but he makes the distinction between a hero and a mentor by saying, “A hero takes our breath away but a mentor is given our trust.” We can also identify a mentor as one that helps us become a better version of ourselves.
For me Liz was my first real spiritual mentor. But as I began to think about it, I could identify professional mentors and leadership mentors that I have been so privileged to learn from. In my life I need a balance of these types of mentors. I know that with my professional mentor, I can become so wrapped up in attainable goals that my leadership really suffers. In 2010 i want to pursue a great harmony of these types of mentors in my life.
Do you think it’s important for you to have a mentor?
Do you have a professional, leadership or spiritual mentor?
What’s one great lesson you’ve learned from one of your mentors?
Natalie…my mentors have always taught me to use pictures of myself that have a lot of pixels so you don't look really, really dumb! I'm just playing!
Great post…you really do exemplify this on a regular basis around here for a lot of people. Thanks for your continual leadership, dedication, and support!
Blake, Picture was my bad. Didn't have a big one to work with…until now.
Yes, yes and I've learned that it's okay to make mistakes from one of my greatest mentors. He also would always remind me that there's no such thing as regret – that has been very helpful, too! This is a great post, Natalie. Thanks for your wise words and for being an awesome leader!
Yes that picture is crazy. I hope to get a new one up soon!!
I love this quote…
“A hero takes our breath away but a mentor is given our trust.”
I think most women would say they don't have a "mentor." Seems like this is an easier thing for men to define. Spence Smith did a great post on this awhile back and the comments were fascinating. Here's a link: http://www.spencesmith.com/2009/12/11/a-question-…
This hurts. I dont think I have ever had a Christian Mentor in my life. I mean, I have a lot of great Christian leaders that I know I can turn to. But no one that holds me accountable for the things I say and do! I need to find one!!!!
Great Post!
I just commented someplace and I dont know where it went so Illl try this again.
This is sad but I dont think I have ever had a Mentor and man I could use one!!! I mean I have a lot of great women leaders in my life but no one that truly holds me accountable for what I do and say.
Im gonna need to get one!
I thinks its VITAL to have a mentor….. ESPECIALLY a Spiritual mentor.
While I've never had a professional mentor, I have had a leadership and spiritual mentor. I've learned a whole lot from them both and If I've had to "pin point" some thing….. It would be that my leadership mentor was like that of Paul….. PERSEVERED through it all. And for my spiritual leader, I learned what it was like to truly lay it ALL at His feet & marinate in His infinite Grace.
Natalie, I love the distinction between heroes and mentors. Mentors are an active part of our life. They speak truth. They pull the best out of us.
I've found that I have to lean into the mentors I want in my life. I have to pursue time with them and seek feedback. If I do that I find a treasure of wisdom and constructive feedback.
Natalie ~ This is such a great post! God has brought me mentors throughout different seasons of my life and I am grateful for each and everyone of them. I think at first I thought one person would be able to fill all the needs I was looking for in a mentor. What I have realized is that instead of one person mentoring me I have a very small circle of women that mentor me and speak into the different parts of who I am. I think you nailed it on the head to say that you didn't always agree with your mentor but you trusted her. You can't have a mentor in your life if you are not willing to be open and honest with your issues. This is so hard to do but I have learned it can save you from future mess-ups and heartache! Thanks again for a great post!
Do you think it’s important for you to have a mentor? absolutely, in fact, i would be someone completely different had i not invested in mentors throughout my life
What’s one great lesson you’ve learned from one of your mentors?
o my word, how much work i need! haha jk, sort of. i've learned that saying things that are on my heart out loud to someone may have a completely different feeling behind it than when I just think it.
Thanks for this post Natalie, it's great. Ps. one of my heroes is Carol Burnett. Just in case you were wondering
great thoughts Natalie. i have had some incredible mentors in my life. its been humbling to see how God brings people into your life at just the right time to speak truth to you. although i havent always loved what they had to say, i think with out them, my journey may have gotten stale. i am learning more and more how much we all need each other. thanks for the reminder today!
as much as i have benefitted from being mentored, i want others to experience the same thing. i think there comes a time where we are then expected to not only continue to receive mentorship, but to give it. kind of a humbling thought!!