“If you do not learn from your mistakes you are doomed to repeat them.”
But if you ONLY learn from your mistakes,
then you will learn very slowly. Learn from your mistakes certainly, and in addition seek a mentor, guide, teacher, coach. Regardless of what you do or aspire to do, there is someone who can help you move forward more effectively than you can even imagine (because you’re not there yet).
learn from those who have traveled the road ahead of you.
It’s rash to imagine that you can attain your best without wise counsel, support, and mentorship. If you feel that you have gifts to offer the world why would you deliberately hold yourself back from doing all you can from maximizing your ability to share them? Professional athletes have coaches, great spiritual teachers have mentors, and organizations have consultants.
Even the Dalai Lama has spiritual advisers to instruct him. The best athletes may have an entire squad of coaches and trainers. Leaders with the greatest responsibility and reach seek guidance from those whose perspectives they trust.
Why would you imagine that you deserve less, or could achieve your best with less?
The more creative and competent you are, the more this is true.
I have always looked for teachers that could guide me and help me move forward. I now invest a great deal to find teachers who will do more than that; who will move me forward, hold me accountable, and kick my butt (and my ‘buts’). Sometimes it feels scary. I have learned that when it does I am likely on the verge of a new and exciting opening, personally or professionally.
