I was fortunate to be mentored by two pioneers in the investment consulting industry, Madelyn Smith and Duncan Smith. They were simply amazing, not only as investment pros, but more so as people. I was in awe of them because of their incredible wisdom about work and life. Despite their many responsibilities and heavy workloads, they always took time to mentor me. I took advantage of every learning opportunity with them. I believe this was key to my career success, and I’m forever grateful to them.
 
Interestingly, my peers didn’t pursue these same mentoring opportunities like I did. I never understood why because mentoring is the best way to accelerate one’s learning. I suspect they thought they’d be an imposition. However, for most leaders who care about the next generation, nothing could be further from the truth.
 
By consulting with veterans, you’ll make a better career decision, learn the job more quickly, and discover the secrets to getting promoted. With the right mentor, you’ll also gain practical wisdom about life and the key decisions you’ll be making. They’ll teach you from their own personal experience what worked and what didn’t. For many mentors, it gives their past adversity and challenges new meaning by helping others in similar situations.
 
Here are 12 tips for finding—and getting the most—from a mentor:

1. Identify the areas in your life or career you’d like to improve in the most.
2. Look for people who are doing well what you want to be doing. Without being obnoxious, look for ways to observe them in action and get to know them, if they are open to it.
3. Ask them to honestly share their assessment of your strengths and areas for improvement. Have a mindset of being open to receiving constructive feedback.
4. Ask them for suggestions on ways to build on your strengths and correct your weaknesses.
5. Ask them to identify the most important life lessons they’ve learned.
6. Find out what qualities they admire most in other people.
7. Discuss your career plan with them and seek their advice on how to position yourself for the next step.
8. Seek to learn, not promote yourself. Don’t be a user.
9. Be prepared. If a mentor consents to meet with you or allow you to shadow him or her, read up on the subject matter ahead of time. Find out what your mentor reads (books, authors, papers, websites, blogs, etc.) and read them, too.
10. Follow up on (i.e., apply) your mentor’s suggestions and directions.
11. Show appreciation and recognition for your mentor’s influence in your life.
12. Be a value-added “ment-ee.” Return favors and time/energy investment in appropriate ways. What can YOU do for him or her?

 
Don’t hesitate to take full advantage of the wisdom that surrounds you. It’s a free gift just for the asking!
                                   
We invite you to peruse the other articles and blog posts here on our website. You’ll find a variety of topics to starting gleaning for nuggets of life wisdom—things you wish you’d known when you were 18! Share them with a young adult in your life.
 

“I don’t know about you, but where I went to school,

 
In all of my years I’ve never taken an Art History course. I have nothing against the subject, per se; I’ve simply focused my learning in other areas. I know I couldn’t possibly appreciate the majesty of the Mona Lisa as deeply as an art history expert. That said, I can honestly say it hasn’t adversely impacted my life.
 
I wouldn’t advise having the same attitude toward money and finance, though. The fact is, money plays a huge role in all of our lives whether we like it or not. We have to make it, save it, spend it, monitor it, count it, and manage it. We have to save for our homes, our retirement and our education. If we’re wise managers of our money, good things can result. If we’re not, it can be the source of financial ruin, untold stress, and disaster in our relationships. That’s why EVERY school ought to consider a course in personal finance as a graduation requirement!!!
 
So, what does it mean to be financially literate? Among other things, it means that you understand:

• How to manage your budget (monthly income and expenses)
• How to live within your means and not overspend on “things”
• How you’re spending your money and whether it’s consistent with your priorities and goals
• How to allocate your income to spending, investing, and giving
• The benefits and pitfalls of using credit and how to use it wisely
• How much money you’ll need in retirement to sustain your lifestyle and what financial plan will help you get there (hint: your Social Security income will not be sufficient!)
• How much investment risk you’re comfortable taking and ways to manage it over a lifetime
• The basic workings of our economy, as well as the stock, bond, and real estate markets
• How to intelligently make major purchases like your home and autos, as well buy the insurance you need.
• Safe banking practices and how to avoid identity theft
• How to develop and maintain a good credit rating

 
Thankfully, you don’t need to learn all of these at once (but you might want to grade yourself on them). The good news is there are classes you can take, as well as many books and websites covering these subjects. Also, there are financial news channels, newspapers, and periodicals that specialize in consumer finance. Take the time to explore what’s out there, and commit to becoming financially literate. There’s simply too much downside risk if you don’t.              
 
How would you rate yourself in terms of financial literacy? Which of the above areas are you knowledgeable about and in which ones are you lacking? How do you plan to become financially savvy?  We’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and questions. And share this article with the young people in YOUR life!

 
Part of the ascent to adulthood is the transition from having your parents “pick” (or have a say in) who your friends are to making those choices yourself. How wisely you make those decisions can have significant implications for your life.

 
While many of the people you meet out in the world will be good people and potential friend-material, you need to know that we ALL encounter people who can be nothing short of destructive. These people can be negative and/or critical. They may engage in harmful activities or act in a bizarre manner. They might be people who simply bring others “down” when in their presence.
 
The best advice (for teens AND adults) is to be discerning. Learn to spot and avoid negative people in favor of uplifting friends who share your values. This is particularly true when you’re young and don’t always have the wisdom and confidence to be the stronger person in a relationship where one person is troubled.  Many young adults have gotten sucked into bad situations because they were trying to be a good friend to someone who wasn’t worthy of it.
 
It’s important to recognize the signs of troubled individuals with whom a close friendship would be unwise. Here are some clues:

• They are involved with pornography, crime, or alcohol/drug abuse.
• They ridicule your positive values and interests.
• They are critical, negative, and disrespectful—seeing the worst in people.
• They put  pressure on you to enter their world despite your refusals. They use the “everyone does it” argument.
• They exhibit anti-social tendencies

 
If you find yourself in a relationship with someone like this, take steps to distance yourself. Don’t feel like you need to “work it out” and make a destructive relationship better. It may feel difficult, intolerant, or even unloving to end a bad friendship, but continuing in a destructive relationship is ultimately a much worse proposition.
 
It’s helpful to have a mental list of good qualities to look for in friendships, a standard against which to hold potential new “prospects.” Sometimes a trial and process is involved before you settle on a circle of friends—and that’s not a bad thing.
 
Have you ever met anyone whose behavior made you feel uncomfortable? Did you trust your instincts and keep your distance? What happened when you didn’t? Identify the qualities you’ll look for in “good friends,” as well as the qualities that characterize “not my type.” Share your thoughts and comments with our online community; we’d love to hear from you!

 

It’s been a little over a year since the release of What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead, and I have to say there’s nothing like the experience of writing and launching a book. You put your heart and soul into it, not knowing how it will be received. Your hopes are high that readers will respond enthusiastically but the fact is, until it’s out there, you just don’t know!
 
My anticipation was even greater as two accompanying student guides hit the market a few months later. Now, What I Wish I Knew at 18 could be employed for both personal (teens/young adults and the adults who guide them) and institutional use (schools, mentor organizations, the faith community, etc.). Unbelievable opportunities began to open up. Testimonies started to pour in. The ride had begun—and what a ride it’s proving to be!
 
In fact, I’ve found this past year to be one of the most amazing and transformational of my life. All of a sudden I find myself with:
 

• A more purposeful life mission—what can be more fulfilling than sharing life wisdom to young people to help shape their futures? To provide resources that serve as a bridge between parents and teens, helping forge stronger relationships at this critical time of life? To support committed educators, who want to ensure kids receive the leadership and life skills needed to succeed? I find this far more impactful than managing tens of billions of dollars of assets!

• Providential introductions to amazing servant leaders—a floodgate of new relationships has opened up with influential people and organizations who touch the lives of young people. I’ve built new friendships with incredible leaders in the educational, social service, and faith communities who are on the front lines in equipping young people for life.  I’m enjoying the goodwill of numerous ambassadors, many whom I’ve never met personally, but who have caught the vision and are helping to get the word out.

• Unforgettable and affirming responses by readers—this is clearly the most fulfilling of all. I’ll never forget the email from a 19-year old Indonesian girl sharing her heartfelt view that ALL young people need to read this book.  Or, the story from the youth leader going through the book with a desperate, teenager with no father in his life and a severely alcoholic mother. “This book gives me a sense of what it’s like to have a dad,” the teen shared with his leader. Or, the father who shared that, through reading What I Wish I Knew at 18 with his college-bound daughter, he was having deeper, more meaningful conversations with her than ever before.

 
Without a doubt, though, my most memorable experience of the year was the opportunity to speak at my hometown high school in Kimberly, Wisconsin. The day began with an appearance on Green Bay TV, followed by a talk to 700 juniors and seniors. But, what really impacted me was what happened next.
 
I visited the classroom of a special program for high schoolers who have already experienced major life struggles. Here was my opportunity to speak life, hope, and practical wisdom to kids who arguably need it most. I’d never been in a context like this before and it was humbling, to say the least. It changed my heart toward kids who, despite some admittedly poor choices, have SO much to offer the world. These students were so engaged and had wonderful, heartfelt questions. I think of them often and hope my visit had as positive an impact on them as it did on me.

As LifeSmart Publishing starts year two, I find myself poised for what may be the most amazing opportunity of all: sharing our book and course throughout Indonesia. This country is actively seeking character-based resources to equip its young people to become leaders of strong character and integrity. To be honest, we didn’t originally envision our work going global, but it’s looking like that’s where we’re headed. Incredible!
 
I’ve always secretly longed to change the world if I had the opportunity.  Maybe this is my chance. However that plays out, I’m eternally grateful for this new life chapter and look forward to what’s in store in the days ahead. In the meantime, it’s humbling to see the opportunities God has given me to change lives in the course of one short year.
 
Thanks for helping making this a great year—here’s to many more, and to a growing vision of changing the world through empowering a new generation of honorable leaders!
 
 

You’ve heard the saying, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” When it comes to your career, your value is in the eyes of your employer!
 

I had a somewhat unique reputation during my career. I was an investment leader who knew how to market the firm to sales prospects. Consequently, while performing well on my investment job, I also helped our sales professionals land new accounts. This had a direct impact on our profits, which caught the attention of the business leaders who were my advocates during bonus time. By diversifying my skill set and helping our business, I built my value and reputation.
 
How highly prized you are to your employer should be a matter of ongoing importance. Among the sources of your value are:

• Your proficiency and achievement on the job
• Your contribution to the financial well-being of the organization
• Your ability to develop others
• Your ability to work successfully in teams and in projects
• Your ability to solve problems and lead initiatives
• Your willingness to go above and beyond the job description

 
In a nutshell, it’s not simply how well you’re doing your own job, but also how you’re contributing to the broader enterprise. What are the benefits of being a highly valued employee? They are many:

• Higher compensation
• Greater promotability and leadership potential
• Greater job security during layoff periods
• Opportunities to participate in high impact projects
• Industry recognition (headhunters will call!)
• The intrinsic value associated with being well regarded by others

 
As you progress in your career, always ask what you can do to become more valuable to your employer. If you can diversify your skill set to improve the financials or reputation of your employer, you’ll be that much more valuable to them and win those prized promotions along the way!
 
What are you doing to build your value in the eyes of your employer, both now and throughout every step of your career?  Check out our blog archive for more ideas on how to be the best and most successful YOU possible! Pass the information along to a friend or young person in your life, and share your ideas and comments below; we’d love to hear from you! 

“I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”

Helen Keller

Are you committed to excellence in everything you do?

 
Some of life’s best lessons are found in the sports world (at least I think so). I distinctly recall some years ago a professional basketball player who had an amazing year. By all accounts, he was grossly underpaid relative to his teammates. He always gave it his best and his coaches rewarded him with greater playing time. Predictably during the off-season, his agent sought to renegotiate the contract. After extensive discussions, he received a substantial increase in salary, befitting his contribution to the team.
 
            When we participate in anything, whether individually or as part of a team, we contribute two things: our TALENT and our ATTITUDE. In this example, the player’s talent was a constant, but his attitude was an unfortunate variable.
 
            When you’re competing as an individual, your own dignity and self-respect are at stake. When you’re part of a team, however, you shoulder the added responsibility of contributing to the total effort. When one person fails to hold up his (or her) end of the bargain, the whole team suffers the consequences.
 
            Never take lightly the responsibility of being part of a team. Whether at school or in the workplace, if you always give it your best, regardless of whether it’s a major project or minor task, you’ll be respected and admired. That’s the hallmark of a true winner. 
 
When it comes to working with others, do you set a high standard for your performance? Do you strive to never let your team down by your lack of effort?  Do you apply the same standards of excellence in matters big and small? Please share your comments with our online community! And “share” this pointer with a friend!
 

Humans are, by their very nature, spiritual beings. Surveys routinely indicate that 80-90% of people believe in God and Heaven, in one way or another.
 
What’s involved in having a meaningful spiritual life? People of faith often describe their faith as offering:
– Comfort and hope in the midst of uncertainty and anguish
– Answers to questions of an eternal nature
– A place to turn with gratitude, praises, and needs
– A guide to daily living, a moral compass and source of accountability
– A means to cleanse the spirit through confession and repentance
– A unique community of like-minded believers
– A sense of security, purpose, and significance

 
While understanding that the religious beliefs of our readers vary widely, we think it’s worthwhile for all of us to reflect on the spiritual aspects of our lives. Regardless of your individual beliefs today, there is wisdom that can be gained through exploring and cultivating your spirituality as a part of your life journey. Understandably, when we are at our busiest, it seems that our spiritual life often takes a backseat. Many times, there is a “wake up call” that gets us back on track.
How you approach your spiritual life is a matter of personal choice but however you choose to handle it, that choice is an important one. People with active spiritual lives often take a holistic approach through involvement in the following areas:

• Personal devotions, meditation, and reflection
• Reading
• Worship services
• Fellowship groups
• Classes
• Ministerial services, mission trips, and community outreach opportunities

 
The bottom line is that if you have faith and desire a rich spiritual life, you have to make room for it. Otherwise, in the midst of a frenzied schedule, it’ll simply get squeezed out.
 
Just as you would with any other avenue of personal growth and development, it’s good to do some research into this area and develop a list of questions. Talk to people of faith and ask them to tell you about their spiritual journey. Visit a worship center with a friend who attends there. See what opportunities, groups, or clubs your school offers along these lines, and use those to make connections in the greater community.
 
Choose some reading material that will help you grow, whether it’s scripture reading that pertains to your faith or perhaps a book of devotions, meditations, or an inspiring biography of someone else’s faith walk.  Put it by your bed or somewhere else you’ll see it (and use it) daily. We need to take time to read as well as express our gratitude, needs, and confessions. Daily reflection time not only promotes our spiritual growth; it also provides balance and perspective. Don’t just give it your “leftovers.” Rather, consider it a gift to yourself as part of your spiritual foundation.
 

                                  Are you allowing room in your life for spiritual growth?

When reviewing the above list of spiritual growth avenues, are there areas that would be especially interesting or helpful to you? Share your thoughts and stories with us about how your spiritual life has made a difference to you; we’d be glad to hear from you!
 
 

It’s sad to say, but most of us have been deeply wronged or hurt at some point in our lives. In some cases, we’ve been victims of others’ mistakes. In other cases, we’re victims of bad behavior or deeds by another. Or, and perhaps most commonly, we’ve been involved in relationships that dissolved or have been severely damaged.
 
Regardless of the source, our emotions can include anger, resentment, shame, guilt, pain, fear, and depression.
 
In one of my all-time favorite movies, Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella had a detached and dysfunctional relationship with his father, now deceased. The crux of this imaginative story was a “second chance” opportunity for Ray to reconcile with his dad and release the pain he had buried inside for many years. It’s an extremely powerful movie that challenges us to reconcile while we can, if we can.
 
When people harbor grudges, it’s like an all-consuming cancer. It embitters us and gnaws at our insides. And, it affects our relationships and ability to trust others.
 
Conversely, there are remarkable stories about people who overcome tragic abuses, losses, and injustices and who go on to live amazing lives of joy and impact. Do you ever wonder how they recover and flourish while others in similar situations are consumed by bitterness and self-pity? What makes the difference? It’s the freedom of forgiveness.
 
Is there someone in your life who has caused pain that continues to gnaw at you? If so, consider your options to reconcile or seek help. Then do it—the sooner, the better. The resulting freedom will lift your spirits and improve your outlook on life!
 
How has the freedom of forgiveness changed your life? We invite you to share your comments, thoughts, and insights with our online community of parents and educators. We enjoy hearing from you! Consider sharing us with a friend!

 
When asked to identify their greatest fear, guess which one people most frequently mention? Public speaking in front of an audience! Unfortunately, it’s an important skill that is all-too-often deemphasized in schools, which is why many people don’t end up mastering it (if ever) until they’re adults and required to make public presentations in college or the workplace.
 
One reason we we’re reluctant to “put ourselves out there” in front of a crowd is our fear of saying something stupid or our mind going blank just in time for the punch line. This is why I rarely tell jokes in public and why I’ll always regret trying to memorize my wedding vows! Total public humiliation!
 
Why bother aquiring this skill (especially when it makes your palms sweat and your mouth go dry)? Statistics show that learning to master public speaking early helps students to perform better in college, as well as offering greater opportunities to be accepted into their top choice schools. In the marketplace, public speaking and related communication skills are big winners among prospective employers and can be significant factors in landing jobs and getting promotions. The ability to present yourself (and your subject matter) well in front of groups is a true career booster. In fact, both undergraduate and graduate business school alumni who attended the University of Minnesota placed oral communication at the TOP of a list of skills that were relevant to overall job success.

Speaking comfortably in front of groups is a skill that can be learned—I’m proof of that. And, acquiring this skill will help you immensely in life, especially in your career.  If you’re not satisfied with your presentation skills, consider these pointers:

• Lower your expectations of yourself—you don’t need an orator’s eloquence to deliver a successful presentation.
• Take comfort in that you usually know more about your subject than your audience and only you know exactly what you want to say
• Recognize that most audiences want you to succeed and are on your side
• Avoid excessive detail
• Tell stories
• Show lots of enthusiasm and expression
• Try to have fun with it!

 
By learning to speak comfortably in front of groups, you’ll be better able to increase the impact of your hopes, dreams, desires, and goals for your life and the world around you. This important life skill will not only help you get ahead in life and accomplish your own personal objectives; it will help you make a difference in your workplace, school, community—perhaps even the world!
 
Are you comfortable speaking in front of groups? What hurdles have you needed to overcome to develop your confidence? Please share your experiences and advice with our online community by commenting below. We’d love to hear from you!
 

What is a prized possession you can never get back once you lose it?

The answer is your reputation.

At some point in your life, your values will be challenged and possibly even ridiculed by others. It’s especially common in the years after high school when you’re facing all that newfound independence. You also may face situations in your career where shortcuts are tempting and ethical situations are gray.

Will you have the moral courage to withstand the pressure and take the high ground, even if it means you may lose an opportunity or a friendship in the process?
 
I was fortunate to have worked with George Russell, the Chairman Emeritus of Russell Investments. He always took pride in saying, “Our company operates with non-negotiable integrity.” He meant it. George always said, “If you’re wondering whether or not to do something, ask how you would feel if it became tomorrow’s headline in the New York Times.” Enough said.

Sadly, you can see how poor choices have destroyed the reputations and lives of countless people in the sports, entertainment, political, and business world. Since many of them were heroes to impressionable kids, their missteps have even greater consequence. Unfortunately, we’ve all seen how the loss of trust and respect can ruin lives and relationships.

No matter what you do, preserve your integrity, values, and reputation with every ounce of strength you can muster. You will absolutely, positively, and totally regret it if you don’t!

How have you handled situations where you were asked or tempted to compromise your integrity?  Have you shared the story with the young people in your life? Your positive example will encourage them in their own struggles to preserve their reputation and integrity in an easy-to-compromise world.