Mentors and Masters

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
— Plutarch

EXCUSES, EXCUSES!

I hear lots of them… mostly from folks that are stuck in jobs they hate.

“I’m too old to begin a new career”

“What if I fail?”

“I don’t have the time or resources to do this!”

Many great artists had financial challenges or started late in life!

See http://tinyurl.com/ydckbyt

But, many great artists had a mentor! And a mentor is worth more than gold! A mentor reignites our  creativity and passion, and lights the way for us when we feel lost.

Who is Your Yoda?

This is a question I often ask our students at our classes. Who do you consider your coach, your inspiration?  Just like in STAR WARS… the hero needs a mentor; one to bring out that hidden treasure inside.

Sometimes it takes a very special teacher to “bring out the gold” in you.  Think back over your school years… who was your favorite teacher and why? Many of MY mentors, guides and teachers weren’t “school teachers,” they were people I admired.  I put energy into contacting them and meeting with them… and then a friendship began.

I’ve been with Tobias and Eugene over 20 years!

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE

When I perform my “sorcerer’s apprentice” coin routine, I often have a strong impact on my onstage “apprentice,” and also on his family.  After the show, the parents frequently tell me about how shy their kid was, and that they never seen him perform like that!  My message is one of empowerment. The audience feels this and knows that it is more than a trick.  This the REAL MAGIC!

My performance and my teaching is all about “finding the treasures that are hidden inside of you!”  It takes a mentor to help you learn the process. then it is YOUR turn to mentor others!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTyYJInSRWQ

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin

One of Abbi’s early music mentors was her piano teacher, Mr. Charles Rose.  When she started playing, at four years old, Mr. Rose had the right combination of talent, patience and creativity to get her involved and keep her motivated…. Now, Abbi’s music is a big part of what motivates many to become their highest visions.  She recently finished her third solo project, called The Family of Fire.  Take a listen, and let us know what you think:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/abigailspinnermcbride2

WHERE IS MY MENTOR?

Some people never find a mentor…why?..they do not look! But, there are steps to consider if you do want to find a mentor… Adam Toren is an entrepreneur, mentor, investor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com. Adam says, “Although few entrepreneurs are fortunate enough to have a keen mentor in the family, it is possible to find one or two. Here are eight tips to getting the right mentor – or group of mentors – for you:

1. Determine your needs. Keeping in mind that your mentoring needs will shift as you start and build your business, take the time to determine exactly what kind of mentor you want now. Build a wish list for your mentor – laying out what skills and support you need to get to the next step.
2. Take time to network. Networking isn’t just important for finding customers. It’s also vital for finding a mentor. Who do you want helping you? Someone who sits in an office and thinks connecting with the business community means reading a couple of magazines a month? No, you want someone who’s out there, knows the market and can point you in the right direction.
3. Listen more, talk less. Given your youthful enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, it may be hard to stay silent. But to find a mentor, you need to listen – a lot. Pay attention and you‘ll be able to separate the smart potential mentors from those who just use all the right words.
4. Be “mentorable.” If you come off as someone who knows everything – or thinks you do – many people will back away. If you want to learn, be willing to consider ideas that may not match your expectations or opinions. Above all, don’t fall victim to your own hype. Your business may or may not have serious problems, but another viewpoint will help you sort things out.
5. Remain flexible. You may have mentors who stay with you over the long haul, but you will also benefit from people who provide just an afternoon of insightful ideas. If you are fortunate enough to get time with someone who is rarely available, absorb all you can and take notes. Your mentor may be skilled only in one specific area, but that’s okay. All help is good help.
6. Don’t overlook nontraditional mentors. Some mentors may help you without their knowledge through books, seminars, speeches, videos on Ted, TV programs and the internet. My brother and I always looked to Richard Branson as one of our mentors. We don’t have to meet him in person to appreciate all he provides to entrepreneurs and others all over the world.
7. Thank your mentors. When people help you, intentionally or unintentionally, let them know. Mentors are not in it for the money; they just want to help others grow. Think about what you can do to let them know how much you appreciate them and their help.
8. Pay it forward. You may never be able to pay your mentors back, but you can recognize what they’ve done for you by becoming a mentor to others.

Read more from Adam here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/222694#ixzz2kB6havx1

Abbi and I love to read the poems of Jalaluddin Rumi…his poetry inspires us. Though he died hundreds of years ago., his words still mentor millions!

Hidden gold
“You sit here for days saying,
This is strange business.
You’re the strange business.
You have the energy of the sun in you,
but you keep knotting it up at the base of your spine.
You’re some weird kind of gold
that wants to stay melted in the furnace,
so you won’t have to become coins.”
— Rumi

I’ll be taking one of my favorite collections of Rumi’s poetry, called Open Secret when I leave for Bulgaria in a few days.  I’ll be in touch when I get home!

Keep your furnace blazing my friends!
Jeff and Abbi

PLAYING WITH FIRE!

If you want to be filled with the fire of  inspiration and creativity…we have new classes coming up
www.magicalwisdom.com

THE BIGGEST MAGIC PARTY IS IN LAS VEGAS… and YOU are invited!

WONDERGROUND is coming up Thursday Nov. 21, we have the full line up here!
www.vegaswonderground.com

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