Do you have mentors in your life? How many? Finding mentors isn’t easy, especially for dads. If you can’t think of any, you don’t have mentors. Listen, I’ll be your mentor for this post. Having godly counsel in our life is a command, not a suggestion. God did not say it’s a good idea or a nice-to-have. He requires it. All throughout Scripture, and most notably in Proverbs, we see wise men look for wise counsel, avoid fools, and look to others for advice.
Yet, are you overrun with godly counsel in your life? Do you suffer from too much wise input and sincere correction? Probably not. Let’s take a look at five reasons your life isn’t oversupplied with wise counsel. Perhaps, within this list, you’ll find some keys to help you unlock the hidden wisdom from men around you.
Mistake 1: You don’t realize you need mentors.
In either ignorance, pride, or you’re simply unaware that finding mentors is important. Guess what? Mentors are required. Now you know. So, this reason won’t hold you back anymore!
Overcome this by simply knowing that mentors are essential. God requires it for our own good, and that should settle it.
Do you live like you know you need mentors?
Mistake 2: You’ve never asked for help.
Big mistake: you simply never take the time to seek wise counsel. Guess what: you’d have it if only you asked for it. Like we often try and teach our kids when they are growing up, become proficient at asking, “Could you help me with something?”
Overcome this by being willing to ask clear, easy, starter questions that get the conversation ball rolling.
When is the last time you asked for help?
Mistake 3: You’re afraid to be transparent.
Finding mentors can’t really help you if you’re unwilling to expose some areas of vulnerability. It’s time to get real. You don’t have to disclose every dark secret, but you can’t play it safe either. Balance, my dear Watson.
Overcome this by taking the risk of telling a mentor exactly how you feel, not just what you think. Be painfully honest.
Are folks getting the real you?
Mistake 4: You don’t ask questions.
My guess is that you’re around gifted, talented, godly people all the time. Only, you just talk and talk. You need to learn two skills: how to ask questions and how to listen to answers.
Overcome this by being more of an asker than a talker. When you’re asking you’re learning, when you’re talking, you’re not.
Which do you do more of: talk or listen?
Mistake 5: You don’t do what the mentor told you.
You’ve had some mentors over the years, but you regularly spurned their advice. Eventually, the mentors stopped “showing up” because the student wasn’t ready. The responsibility is on you to follow up with meetings and follow up with status updates. If a mentor gives you advice, it’s probably a good idea to follow up with an update at some point.
Overcome this by giving what your mentor says a try. Actually, do what your mentor suggests and see how it works out, don’t patronize by hearing only.
Is there something you’ve been advised to do? What’s keeping you from doing it?
Manhood Journey Mission
Review these five mistakes in finding mentors and consider which one you make most often. Start by asking your wife for input. Thank me later.
Question: Which of these five mistakes do you need to work on the most?
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