A Tribe of Mentors and Friends
The vibration of the alarm marks the start of another day on the student’s journey. He quietly slips out of the bedroom and grabs his gear. A quick glance at his watch confirms that it is just past 5am. The student follows his morning routine which includes a visualisation of the future self he is working towards.
But there is no time to linger, his mentor is already waiting for him.
After a short journey the student is greeted by the usual stern look on his mentor’s face. A few moments later the lesson begins. Physical training coupled with the familiar voice sharing lessons about how to become a better leader, a better follower, a better human being.
Another morning on The Path.
When I grew up, having a mentor seemed like something that would only be possible in the movies. You would have to be a talented young athlete or scholar and somehow you would find a mentor, who would push you to achieve your goals.
Since it seemed so implausible, I never even considered looking for a mentor when I was younger.
But then the internet opened up a completely new world to us all. Apart from the explosion in information availability, we were also suddenly able to connect to anybody on the planet with very little friction.
Suddenly, people like me, with in-depth knowledge about a niche interest of mine, could speak to me from anywhere in the world. Equally, I found the network effect of the internet to act as a multiplier. The people I followed and admired introduced me to other amazing people, who ended up changing my life.
The most astonishing change to my life came in the form of podcasts and online writing.
I read about the work of Mark Divine and ended up signing up to do his Kokoro camp.
I listened to Tim Ferriss speak to a tea-drinking Navy Seal who had written a New York Times bestseller. Now I listen to Jocko’s podcast every day.
And I cannot recall all the amazing and astonishing conversations that Joe Rogan has had whilst I was listening in.
I found my tribe of mentors now. Not just one old guy sitting on a mountain top, now there are a bunch of fantastic humans ready to help me shape my world and become a better person all-round.
These innovations have not just given me the chance to read or listen to my tribe of mentors, but I am able to build a new tribe of friends.
By sharing my writing (and the occasional podcast) online, I send a signal about what is important to me. Like-minded folk can find me, get to know me, and if they like, even become friends. Over the past 8 months I have met over 30 people in 1:1 calls and would consider 10 of those real friends now.
I still have dear friends from school, sport clubs and other social circles of course. But writing, tweeting and creating online connects me with like-minded people that might share different interests to mine. But we connect through a common journey and often they help me stretch my brain’s limits.
The student turns off the podcast and gives a little wink to Jocko’s poster on the wall.
The student is me.
