For many years I managed a marina as a Harbor Master.
It was during this time that I got to witness many interesting observations from society. Over the years I watched as tenants came and went while many stayed. Boat ownership was intriguing and it brought many people from all walks of life. There were those who found boats that would float and made a home out of them. With the relatively inexpensive dock rent, this was a frugal way to live in an age where affordability with housing is an issue. There were others who presumably worked long hours and rarely visited their boats. These were often the neglected boats that struggled with staying afloat. Trust me, days when boats sank were days that added to my gray hairs. Then there were those who were “wealthy”.
I found those in this category were further split into two types of people – those who were high income earners able to afford the big boats and then those who were retired and/or financially free. It was from the latter that I learned that many of them invested in real estate and had not stumbled into their financial freedom accidentally. These were the ones free to sail around the world or enjoy their “toys”. Reminds me of the differences outlined in the book, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” between high income earners and business owners or investors. The difference should absolutely be understood. “The Millionaire Next Door” is another book that also does a fantastic job of further splitting the two with interesting facts and statistics.
While managing there, I owe a debt of gratitude to two different tenants who took the time to whet my appetite for investing which lead me on the path that I am on now. One was a landlord while the other was a business owner and retired acquisitions manager for a large corporation. Through lots of conversations and books borrowed, I was able to soak up as much as they were willing to teach me. They were invaluable mentors during that time as they opened my eyes to the idea of investing, creating returns, managing money, and cashflow. #myfirstmentors
I am thankful for all of the mentors who have played a role in my journey over the years. I am thankful for my parents and how they have each taught me in their own ways. I’m thankful for the books, seminars, and online resources that I have devoured that gave me the opportunity to be able to learn from those I have never met. If you are looking to find a mentor, who is someone in your life who is succeeding in a way that you would like to? They are not often the loudest about their successes. I often prefer to learn from those who are still in the trenches as well. Seasoned with experience is also a plus. It’s not easy to land a relationship with a mentor in a way where both people’s expectations align.
So, I want to ask you. What does the role of a mentor look like to you? Do you have a positive story of a mentor that you’d like to share?