I am sure anyone reading this has had at least one teacher, mentor or master that has had a powerful influence on his or her life. Often times that person has been a coach. I have been fortunate to have several over the years.

So what has us put the title of œgreat on anyone? I think most people would say that they gave us great information or they had an interest in us as people. Maybe it was a unique approach to whatever was there to be learned. All of these could be true.

What if those who we have labeled great had no students? Well, of course they had students. So, what am I saying? What I am saying is that ultimately what has us say that they are great is due to a transformation that occurs, the breakthroughs caused and/or the results produced.

The master is only as great as the student. The mentor is only wise when the student takes action on the wisdom dispensed. Learning for the sake of learning really has minimal value. Without action it will be a faint memory. Life is not œTrivial Pursuit.

So, what makes a great student? You are itching to ask. It is what I just said in the previous paragraph. A great student is one who is willing to take action on what gets revealed in the interaction with the coach.

Knowing and understanding are booby prizes in the domain of learning. Taking action without any assurance as to the outcome is the opportunity to learn, to grow. Listening to the coach and taking an action when there is a real chance you could fail is a huge opportunity no matter how it turns out.

On my 6th birthday my parents bought me a full-sized Schwinn bicycle, Since I was on the smallish side I needed to stand on something to get on my new prize. Which is what I immediately just had to do. The first few feet I wobbled, the straightened out and off I went.

My coach (Mom) said to me before I mounted up that if I fell, got to far from home, etc. it was up to me to be back by three which is when my friends were arriving for the party. And, no one was going to come looking for me. Her coaching, œkeep pedaling.

I was gone about 45 minutes (a guess) when an error in judgment caused me to have to stop and get off my bike. Low and behold, there was no place to stand so I could get back on. Consequently, I spent most of the return trip running and pushing my bike. I barely got home in time.

What did I learn? Be responsible for what I said I would do and number two, plan ahead. I have been practicing those ever since and I am getting better every day.

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