Not getting ahead? Maybe your (life) GPS is broken?
Can you imagine driving without a GPS? If you're lost or stray from your route, GPS will guide you back on track. In fact, with a GPS you are not worried about making mistakes or even getting lost. It gives you peace of mind. You implicitly trust the GPS to guide you to your destination - all you have to do is to punch in the destination and follow the recommended path. But, do you know how GPS works? It is constantly talking to 3-4 satellites at all times to accurately determine your current position in three dimensions. It knows where you are at all times, where you want to go and calculates/recalculates the best route to your destination.
Do you have a GPS for your life? Do you know your destination? Who punched in the destination in your GPS? What are the 3-4 "satellites" you communicate with to determine your current position in life and the best route to your destination? You not only need a fully functional GPS to live a fulfilling life but you need to know the components that form your GPS.
Your internal GPS needs the following six components for a successful life:
- Moral compass - define your values.
- Destination - know what you want out of your life.
- Satellites - a network of mentors to guide you.
- Fuel - conviction and courage to drive you.
- Mindset - guides your decisions.
- Action - persistent and consistent effort to reach your destination.
Of all the components, the most critical one is the satellites (mentors). With mentors, you can figure out the rest of the components. Without mentors, the most critical component, you have a broken life GPS.
Best way to understand the importance of mentorship is to learn about Johari Window.
The Johari Window is a communication model developed by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955, that can be used to improve understanding between individuals within a team or in a group setting. The main idea is that there are many things about yourself you may believe you know, but seldom do you truly know without outside input.
The Johari Window has four quadrants:
Known Self Quadrant #1 — What You Openly Show to Others (Public Zone) You feel safe and confident here. This is your comfort zone and people are welcome to this zone.
Blind Self Quadrant #2 — Only Others Know (Blind Zone). There are things you are not aware of that holds you back. They may be bad habits you do without knowing. Also, this quadrant may hold your potential because others can see something that we don’t see in our selves.
Hidden Self Quadrant #3 — Only You Know (Private Zone). These are the skeletons in your closet - private and vulnerable part of you that holds your fears and doubts. It holds embarrassing or hurtful things that you did or happened to you. You are very careful in choosing who is allowed in this zone if anyone at all.
Unknown Self Quadrant #4 —No One Knows (Unknown Zone). This area holds any knowledge and potential that you or anyone else has yet to discover. Over your lifetime you will discover your hidden potential.
We all have these four parts of Self but their respective sizes vary in each of us. To live a fulfilling life our goal should be to shrink the unknown zone and blind zone. You need mentors whom you can trust, develop a relationship and get feedback. Because for self-actualization you need to reduce your blind spots and maximize your potential. You need to develop awareness not only about your true potential but also about how the universe works. Mentors facilitate developing awareness at the deepest of levels, that help you break free from the shackles of unconscious thoughts and habit patterns that keep you from succeeding.
If you want to realize your potential, find a mentor who will really help shine a light on areas you may not be aware of, help you define your destination based on your values, equip you with the right tools for your journey and then guide you to your destination.
Unfortunately, most people don't have a mentor/s. They don't know whom to trust, whom to listen to or, how to differentiate between facts and opinions. They are not free thinkers. Most people are susceptible to negative influences of other people. They surround themselves with people who make them feel comfortable and don't threaten their way of thinking. They just have a broken GPS!
EXERCISE TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A BROKEN GPS:
- Write down 5 adjectives to describe yourself.
- Ask 3 of your best friends and your spouse (if married) to write down 5 adjectives describing you.
- Make a list of people who are living the life you want to live - lifestyle, finances, health, relationships, personality, fame, name, impact, family, children, legacy, etc.
- Who are your current mentors?
Analysis #1: Do the majority of the responses in #2 match ones in #1? If not you need a mentor to reduce your blind spots.
Analysis #2: Does the list of your current mentors (#4) contain anyone from the list of people who are living the life you want to live (#3)? If not, you need to find a mentor. You have surrounded yourself with well-intentioned people but unfortunately, none of them can help you realize your potential.
You now know the components of a GPS and how they work together to help you live a fulfilling life. If your GPS is broken FIX IT and begin your personal renaissance!
-Nanda Sringari