19. Life Mentor

"I am not a self-made man. Every time I give a speech at a business conference, or speak to college students, or do a Reddit AMA, someone says it. 'Governor/Governator/Arnold/Arnie/Schwarzie/Schnitzel (depending on where I am), as a self-made man, what's your blueprint for success?' They're always shocked when I thank them for the compliment but say, "I am not a self-made man. I got a lot of help." It is true that I grew up in Austria without plumbing. It is true that I moved to America alone with just a gym bag. And it is true that I worked as a bricklayer and invested in real estate to become a millionaire before I ever swung the sword in Conan the Barbarian.But it is not true that I am self-made. Like everyone, to get to where I am, I stood on the shoulders of giants. My life was built on a foundation of parents, coaches, and teachers; of kind souls who lent couches or gym back rooms where I could sleep; of mentors who shared wisdom and advice; of idols who motivated me from the pages of magazines (and, as my life grew, from personal interaction)." - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tools of Titans WHAT IS A LIFE MENTOR? A life mentor is often it is an older person and someone who's been there, done that. They've got the life experience, they've walked the journey and they've reflected on it. Generally you have a relationship with them already and there is already a genuine reciprocity and trust. Even though there's normally a generational age gap, it doesn't matter, they really do enjoy spending time with you anyway. There isn't a dynamic of power there, it's not as if they've got all the wisdom, you go with like an empty cup and they're filling up your cup, it's got that genuine mentor reciprocal sharing of an energy, of a need. This isn't a mentoring program at work where someone sets up a professional mentor, we're talking about someone you've come across in your journey that you respect, find authentic and you believe in each other. Your mentor is comfortable in their own skin, they want the very best for you, they're not threatened by you in any way, they just want you to be happy and to succeed in your life. See more at www.universalman.org