I haven’t explored the subject matter in months; in fact, today was supposed to be a scheduled pod with one of my mentors. But in this situation, I’m the mentor, and I feel as though I’m getting bamboozled.
“All you can hope is that they take what you have given them,
and take it to the next person.”
– Bernard Bowen Sr.
But I’m not selling a bill of goods. I’m offering the intangibles, and tangible proof that the pudding, rich in nutrients. For I have a formula, that has been organically and chemically brewed from success, failure, and everything that comes in between from experience. Repetition is the father of learning, and I’m yearning to know, who’s my daddy?
“The Yankees is my Daddy.” – Pedro Martinez
Becoming a mentor implies that you are willing to share it. Is that not why we came? Someone shared it before me, and it would be a travesty if they didn’t pay its forward like an M. Night Shyamalan movie.
“I see dead people.” – Haley Joel Osment
My return on investment is nil, but negative nil when the mentee goes out of his way to learn, and yearn for more, but doesn’t get the lessons in real time. What’s really frustrating is when you help someone along, and doesn’t apply information. I don’t mean to get negative, y’all, but this happens, oftentimes with rec ball or 4 AAU games, back-to-back-to-back-to-back.
That’s how it goes during the off season of school ball, and segue’s into the AAU season. When someone takes a multitude of games on the same day, it’s reasonable for you to not go out. In fact I learned my lesson, 3 seasons ago, that it was impossible to do so.
You must..pace…yourself….
Often times, I work with people that have sought counsel. I’ve learned at this stage of my career that there really is no such thing as luck; there is, if you create it. There is, if you dictate it. It appears only if you are ready.
“We cannot be to where we are today, if someone hasn’t stepped up to the plate and helped us get there.” Bernard Bowen Sr.
READY.
One of these mentees, told me he’s ready – ready for more, ready for difficulty. Ready for the smoke that comes with the fire of trying to grow in this industry. I gave him some rudimentary steps. Work on your professionalism; your tone. How about your mechanics? Most importantly, being in position.
I THOUGHT WE WERE READY.
Turns out today, wasn’t his day. He told me, “I have a lot on my mind,” He continued. “I also did a lot of games today, so I’m spent.
I’M READY. ALWAYS.
This brought me back to a conversation that I had with a mentor. He said that he stopped working in venues because their partners weren’t there to “work.” He continued. “I need to work hard at all times, no matter what the level.”
CAN’T NOT BE READY, IF YOU STAY READY.
Back to the situation at hand:::::
I’m disappointed that my recent interactions with one of my mentees he hasn’t put his best effort. In episode 47, Nelson Santiago discusses how us as mentors can’t want it more than those we are helping; but this is how I feel when someone isn’t working as hard as they should be, especially if they want to elevate to new levels.
To all my mentors, if I said it, I meant it – thank you. For every podcast I record, or any blog I post, or game I officiate, I want to go 1000%. That’s why I came; to get better. And. BETTER.
I will continue to do so. I’d be sad if I had deaf ears that couldn’t hear the things that I’ve done seen from my mentors. They are walking, living proof, that all things are possible, by putting your head down, and going in. Sometimes we take for granted that when no one is watching, we don’t have to work hard. Even if it’s an easy environment, it’s easy to replicate ennui;
Mentors don’t have to observe you, out of the blue. You may forget that we are there, but we can officiate and ref too.
“It’s a give and take, don’t take it personal, and those individuals that you have given information to you, that you’ve helped, they choose to not receive the information in a positive way and take you can separate yourself. Leave it alone. You don’t have to go back and forth, to argue it, to debate. It’s not a good fit leave it alone.”
– Bernard Bowen Sr.
