Mentors play an important role in shaping our growth and development. We each find mentors to help us grow throughout our journey, but almost all of us have the privilege of learning from two special people.
While they go by many names, we call them mom and dad.
As we celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, there’s no better time to reflect on the lessons our father’s taught us, and if possible, to say thanks.
Here are a couple lessons I learned along the way.
Just do it.
Each morning, if I was awake early enough, I would inevitably see my father don his suit, grab his briefcase, and head off to work. Every day, no exception.
No days when he simply didn’t feel like it. No days where his passion or love for work was diminished. No days that his energy levels just weren’t there.
As I grow older, and maybe a touch wiser, I understand. We all face those days where all we want to do is pull the covers over our heads. Those days where we’re worn out, exhausted, just needing a break. My dad was no exception.
But that loss of passion, of energy, didn’t matter. Dad lived out those immortal words of Nike, “Just do it.”
Just do it means showing up, getting the job done, no matter what life throws at you. Just do it means no excuses, no bullshit. Just do it means the only way to get out of a rut is to keep on keeping on. Just keep moving forward.
Just. F*cking. Do. It.
There’s always someone in your corner.
The journey of life has its ups, but also its downs. During those highs, it's important to celebrate the victories. The great hit in little league, the better-than-expected report card. No matter the size of the accomplishment, I always knew there was one guy celebrating with me on the sidelines.
We all have victories, probably more wins than we give ourselves credit for. Take a page from dad’s playbook and reward yourself with a pat on the back and an ice-cream cone.
But just as important as a pat on the back for a job well done is how we react to those inevitable stumbles. Those moments when we don’t live up to our potential.
I can tell you countless stories of those times. The days when nothing goes right. The days when I started to lose faith in myself. The days I was so lost that I didn’t know which way was up.
On those days I learned another lesson. Someone always believes in you.
It is easy to find someone in your corner when everything is rosy. But even when you can’t see the light, there’s someone watching over you. And that knowledge, that belief in you? That will see you through the darkest of nights.
As Winston Churchill said, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” Don’t whine about it. Just keep going. Just do it.
And know that on those darkest days, there’s always someone looking over you. Someone believes in you. Even when you struggle to believe in yourself, there's always someone in your corner.
To all dads everywhere, Thank-you.
Tell us in the comments; What lessons did you learn from your father? And if you can, let your father know how much you appreciate his tough-love teachings.
Your article about your mentor is well written that brings thoughts of my relationship with my Dad. I did not have as close relationship as I now would have liked with him. I feel that you and I have a good foundation for our relationship and your article gives me the feeling that you agree with that opinion. You state that you have had many instances of rough patches and I regret not being around to assist those days.
You state that there are days when you have started to lose faith in yourself. My opinion is that you are somebody who is very valuable to know and whose ideas are valuable. You have a terrific sense of humour and many skills. I hope that I can help going forward. Thank you, Brian and good luck.
Dad