The Importance of Mentors and Mentorship

Posted by Pinky on Feb 25, 2010 in Blog | 0 comments

I so fondly remember the early days of my career when all I wanted to do was work in the music industry, in any shape or form.  I wanted to give something back to the thing that had meant so much to me, but had no idea where to start.

I bumbled and bobbled around for a long time, and someday I might just write a book about it.  But what made all the difference for me, then as now, was the guidance of those who had more experience than I did all along the way.  In many cases, it wasn’t much more than I knew myself, but it was always enough to give me inspiration and direction, and I wouldn’t have had a chance in this world without it.

My favorite way to learn these days is over food and beverage.  I make it a point to book as many lunches and happy hours as I can in a week to catch up with old friends, forge new relationships and sample the best that Nashville has to offer in the barley and hops department.  And it shows.  In my wasteline.

Inspiration is a renewable source of energy, and it’s a two-way street.  Giving is a form of receiving, and aside from the fact that I tend to over-commit myself in most of those meetings, I’m bursting with excitement after almost every single one.  There is so much opportunity in this world, folks.  So many people with such amazing potential.  While it’s true that most ideas don’t make it into full-blown opportunities, there is joy in the very observation of the process unfolding.  Hope that one of those moments might explode into something famous.  Something profound and meaningful. And mentors, more often than not, can make the difference.

If you haven’t been out to lunch to share an idea with someone lately, dangit… do it!  Maybe you’re the one with just the right insight to push an idea to the tipping point.  Maybe you need perspective or guidance for an idea of your own.  Maybe you just want to share the latest news with someone you like.  Regardless, the power that comes from group creativity is exponentially greater than what we can achieve on our own.

Revolution is not a function of popular vote, it is the product of inspiration inciting change.