Faith in Others: Mentoring

This is the 3rd installment in the synergy series entitled “Faith in Others.” Read more on the other installments here.

Arnold was dismayed, his dream shattered. How could he convince his wife to support his Ipod for the Car project. She wouldn’t even listen to him. Arnold knew his idea was a great one. He got up from his chair and mumbled under his breath, “She just doesn’t get it.” Arnold paced back and forth, finally ending up plopped in front of his computer. He pulled up Google and typed in the word “motivation,” since he knew that he really needed to encourage his wife Alice.

As the search results came up on the screen, he noticed an interesting one that stood out from the others. It was from a blog by Steve Pavlina entitled “Cultivating Burning Desire.” His mind raced quickly, “This is exactly what I need.” He read the article quickly and perused the bio section of the blog. He found that Steve was the creator of the synchronous microwave platter. The biography indicated that this single invention made Steve thousands of dollars by always placing the handle of a rotating coffee cup by the microwave door.

Arnold was excited now and had to know more.

As he read more about Mr. Pavlina he found that his motto was “Multitask.” Steve had developed numerous multitasking strategies such as multiple microwaves and dual wristwatches. He decided to call Steve and ask for his help with his Ipod project. Steve was very courteous had took Arnold’s call. He listened to Arnold’s plight and found out a little about Arnold’s wife, Alice.

Steve thought for a moment and then replied. “Arnold, you have a great project. You just need to explain the benefits to your wife.”
Steve went on, “Sell the multitasking aspects of your invention. Tell her she can be hands free to put on makeup, talk on the phone, and drive her car all while listening to her Ipod.”
Arnold was ecstatic, “You’re right Steve, I need to sell the benefits”

Arnold got off the phone and quickly drew up a diagram of his “hands free” Ipod invention. He emphasized the “hands free” part with a picture of a driver with both hands on the wheel listing to U2 on a rock’n Ipod. He ran into the office and showed the diagram to Alice.

“Why didn’t you say it would free me up from all the wires and cords?”, Alice replied excitedly. “Any woman who can be freed up to multitask in the car would surely buy one of these. You had better order twenty thousand of them. Here is the check.”

Arnold couldn’t believe his ears. A little mentoring from Steve on the great aspects of his project had changed things completely.

Someone had finally had a little faith in his ideas.

That made all the difference..