(A Dozenology – A 12-Part Saga) Part 4: Meeting the Mentor – Sometimes the Sage on the Stage, Sometimes the Guide on the Side
So, you’ve wrestled with The Call to Adventure, found very convincing reasons to ignore it, and maybe even convinced yourself that you’re better off staying put.
But adventure has a funny way of persisting.
Just when you’re about to double down on hesitation, along comes The Mentor—that person (or resource) who helps you see that maybe, just maybe, you’re more ready than you think.
Who (or What) is a Mentor?
In stories, the mentor is often an all-knowing, wise figure—Dumbledore, Yoda, Mr. Miyagi—dropping life-changing wisdom between sips of tea.
In real life? It’s a little less mystical, but just as powerful.
A mentor can show up in two key ways:
👉The Sage on the Stage – The expert, the leader, the person with decades of experience who teaches, inspires, and shows you the way.
👉The Guide on the Side – The friend, the colleague, the coach—someone who walks alongside you, helping you navigate your next steps without standing in the spotlight.
Sometimes, your mentor is a teacher. Other times, it’s a book, a podcast, or even a well-timed quote that hits differently. But no matter what form they take, they do one thing: They help you see beyond your own doubts.
How Mentors Show Up in Real Life
Mentors don’t always announce themselves. Sometimes, you only realise their role in hindsight. But if you look closely, you’ll notice they appear exactly when you need them most.
They might show up as:
- A leader who challenges you to step up. (“You’re ready for this. Stop waiting.“)
- A friend who sees your potential before you do. (“You keep talking about this… maybe it’s time to go for it?“)
- A book or podcast that speaks directly to your situation. (Suspiciously accurate timing, right?)
- A moment of clarity during a conversation. (“Why did that sentence hit me so hard?“)
Mentors don’t do the work for you—but they make you believe you can do it.
What If You Haven’t Found Your Mentor Yet?
Good news: Sometimes, you have to take the first step before the mentor appears.
If no obvious guide has shown up yet, try this:
✅Seek out wisdom. Read, listen, learn—sometimes, the right words come when you look for them.
✅Ask for help. That conversation you’ve been avoiding? It might lead to your next breakthrough.
✅Be open to mentorship in unexpected forms. Some of the best guidance comes from casual conversations.
✅Trust that guidance arrives when you’re ready to receive it. The right mentor has a way of showing up when you least expect it.
What’s Next?
With The Mentor by your side (or at least their wisdom in your head), you’re no longer standing at the edge of change—you’re preparing to step into it.
And that brings us to the next stage:
Part 5: Crossing the Threshold – Stepping Into the Adventure (Even If You’re Not 100% Ready).
Because, spoiler alert: You’re never 100% ready. But that’s exactly why heroes are made on the journey, not before it begins.🚀