There Goes My Hero
The unlimited power of believing in people
Audio version:
I had phenomenal mentors in my college years. They were a couple in their 50’s who recently purchased an existing business, a booming homemade ice cream shop, without previous experience in the industry themselves. They entrusted the GM position to me, a 19yo going to school full time. They held me accountable, would celebrate my successes, including those I didn’t see/wouldn’t on my own, and poured into me as an individual.
I would tell my younger self, “Don’t take these types of relationships for granted as many others do not get to have this same experience during truly formative years. Take time to recognize those around you as people are in your life for a season, a reason, or a lifetime.” That last line I learned from them ;)
I know Maddie. I’ve seen her work ethic up close. She is well-regarded by her peers. She gets things done with a smile and a great attitude. She is the kind of person anyone would want on their team. This couple's impact on her life is evident in how she lives and pours into others.
Maddie’s comments got me thinking about the power of belief. As you look back on your life, who are the people who believed in who you could be instead of who you currently were? Who saw your potential?
Here are 3 of mine:
Pat Ellison, my high school band director.
Dr. John Imhoff was a professor passionate about investing in students in his later years. He taught me lessons I’ve not forgotten to this day:
Gary Whicker — the boss who hired me at my current company. At the time, I was at a really low point in my career. He challenged me, gave intentional, wise counsel, and helped me stretch and grow into who I am today.
Perhaps you don’t have any heroes. Maybe you’ve had to gut it out alone. I don’t wish that on anyone. But I bet you do if you think about it. With that in mind…
Here is your homework for this week:
Share the names of your heroes in the comments below.
If they are still alive, contact your heroes today and let them know the difference they made in your life. If they have passed away, let their family know. Blow their mind by sending an actual card!
Invest in one person this week. See their potential, tell them about it, and add value with intention. Believing in someone will change the trajectory of their life.
Make this your BEST week of 2024!
Richard Tobias (BA thesis advisor)
Eugene Gray (former Boss)
My father
This was awesome!
Tarek...there are definitely people who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. Their influence was powerful. One, Mr. Snyder, was my 6th grade teacher. One day he read an essay I had written in front of the class and commented that it had the marks as something coming from a "true" writer. I was shocked and never forgot his words, or what the essay was about. It kept me going when, under the future tutelage of an overworked teacher of 5 classes of upwards of 35 students each, I wasn't encouraged at all. The next one I will never forget is the encouragement of twenty-four year old pastors of the first church I ever attended. I was seriously emotionally ill, weighed in at about 82 pounds, and didn't want to live any longer. They believed in me, held me up, loved me, and wouldn't let me go. Years later the husband lost his life in a car accident but I am still in touch with his wife these almost fifty years later. She knows what she gave me. I'll never let her forget it. The third biggest influence on my life is my husband. He supports everything I want to do. He supported me through seven years of college late in life and all the hours and weekends of attention that took. I'm forever grateful. These people changed my life in huge ways.