Jason Buffington .com

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If you had 440 coins in your pocket and someone you respected asked for one, would you give it to them?

I can’t think of too many higher complements that someone could say more than “Could I have a little bit of your time so that we could exchange ideas?” Sometimes that’s brainstorming among peers, sometimes that’s mentoring or coaching; but in every case, it is a privilege and an honor.

I was at a company event about a month ago and we were talking about mentoring our colleagues and someone asked me “How do you find the time?” — it’s fair question. A couple of years ago, I read a quote from Henri Nouwen that spoke to my soul and frankly transformed my point of view.  He said:

I used to constantly complain about all the interruptions to my life’s work, until I realized those interruptions were my life’s work.

He thought he was supposed to do X, but other stuff kept coming up – and then he realized that his true purpose was to meet those other needs.

In most months, there are 22 business working days – and I average about 10 hours per day at my desk.  So, I have 220 working hours in a month or 440 half-hour slots. So yeah, my job keeps me very busy, but I’ve got 440 coins in my pocket, so if you ask, I’ll give you 1 … maybe 2 or 3 if food is involved.

Regardless of where you are on the mentor versus mentee spectrum, you too have got 400+ coins in your pocket. How do you want to spend them?

See you next Monday