Board of Advisors: Crafting Your Ultimate Circle of Invisible Mentors
Accessing Wisdom: A Guide to Curating Your Council of Inspiration
It was ten years ago. I was working late on an annual report for a corporate client. Then an idea struck.
It was during the layout of the board of advisors section that the thought occurred:
"Why not create a personal board of advisors?"
This wouldn't just be any ordinary board, but a unique assembly of influential figures, both past and present, real and inspirational, to guide decision-making and provide wisdom.
The concept of a "secret board of advisors" was born from the need for diverse perspectives that could address various facets of life.
For instance, Jordan Peterson would be selected for his psychological insights, helping to tackle complex emotional and mental challenges.
Tim Grover would be included for his expertise in pushing physical and mental boundaries and providing strategies to excel under pressure as he did with elite athletes.
Adding historical figures like Marcus Aurelius would bring stoic wisdom, offering advice on resilience and virtue.
Modern motivators like Ed Mylett would ensure a continuous injection of enthusiasm and energy, vital for staying motivated.
Physical stallions like David Goggins and Jeff Galloway would help me get out of bed two hours earlier, hit the gym, and train for a full marathon.
A Deep Work advisor like Cal Newport would help me focus and reach big goals. But that won’t be my habit advisor - I am giving that to James Clear.
To weave in spiritual and ethical dimensions, Paul the Apostle and Jesus would serve as moral and spiritual guides.
And Jesus would take the wheel as Chairman, symbolizing ultimate leadership and compassion.
And because, well, He’s Jesus.
Personal influences would also be crucial.
The board would include the creator’s late maternal grandfather, whose values and teachings continue to inspire long after he is gone.
And without a doubt, my parents and my siblings.
Beyond these, the board could expand to include specialists from various fields.
For instance, Nikola Tesla might be included for creativity and innovation, while someone like Florence Nightingale could represent selflessness and dedication to service.
A modern addition might be someone like Elon Musk, for a relentless pursuit of futuristic vision and innovation.
The idea evolved into a tool for personal and professional growth, encouraging others to gather their group of virtual mentors.
This concept of having a diverse and powerful advisory board in one’s mind has proven to be a creative and effective way to navigate life's challenges and pursue success.
Once you've chosen your board of advisors, the next steps involve harnessing their collective wisdom to guide your decisions and growth. Here's how you might proceed:
1. Set Clear Objectives
Begin by defining what you hope to achieve with the help of your advisory board.
Whether it's personal development, career advancement, or specific projects, having clear goals will help you seek relevant advice and inspiration.
2. Regular Consultations
Schedule regular times to 'consult' with your board.
This could be through reading their works, listening to their speeches or interviews, or reflecting on what advice they might offer in particular situations.
For instance, reviewing Marcus Aurelius' thoughts each morning could help cultivate a mindset of resilience and perspective.
3. Diverse Perspectives
Actively seek out the different perspectives your board offers. If faced with a tough decision, consider what each advisor might suggest.
How would Jordan Peterson analyze the situation? What relentless pursuit would Tim Grover encourage? This method helps you view your challenges from multiple angles and uncover unique solutions.
4. Journaling Insights
Keep a journal of insights and advice derived from your board. Writing down these thoughts can help solidify lessons and track your progress.
It’s also a useful tool to reflect on the guidance you’ve applied and its outcomes.
5. Apply and Reflect
Apply the advice to your real-world challenges and reflect on the outcomes.
Did following David Goggins’ discipline improve your physical health or daily routine?
How did spiritual insights from Paul the Apostle or Jesus influence your interpersonal relationships?
6. Iterate and Adapt
Your needs and challenges will evolve, and so should your board. Periodically review and adjust who is on your board based on the current and future challenges you anticipate facing.
This might mean rotating some advisors out and bringing new ones in to get fresh perspectives and skills relevant to your next objectives.
7. Share and Discuss
Share your concept and findings with peers or mentors.
Discussing your board’s advice with others can provide additional insights and help refine your understanding and application of their wisdom.
By actively engaging with your board of advisors, even though they are not physically present, you can cultivate a mentorship experience that spans centuries and perspectives, tailored precisely to your personal and professional growth journey.
It’s Your Turn
Let’s take a deep dive into how your life can benefit by coming up with a team of mentors. I created a worksheet to get you started.
Here’s a worksheet designed to help you create your board of advisors and effectively put their collective wisdom to work in your life:
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
List down areas where you seek overall guidance, inspiration, or expertise. This could be personal development, career guidance, health, spirituality, etc.
1. Personal Development:
- Example: Emotional resilience, time management
2. Career Guidance:
- Example: Leadership skills, networking
3. Health and Well-being:
- Example: Physical fitness, mental health
4. Spirituality and Ethics:
- Example: Ethical decision-making, spiritual growth
5. Creativity and Innovation:
- Example: Thinking outside the box, inventing
Step 2: Choose Your Advisors
For each area listed, identify potential advisors who excel in those domains. These can be historical figures, modern-day leaders, or personal heroes. Write a brief note on why you chose each.
1. Advisor Name:
- Area of Expertise:
- Reason for Choosing:
(Repeat this for each advisor you wish to add to your board.)
Step 3: Engaging with Your Board
For each advisor, think about how you can engage with their wisdom. Specify the medium through which you’ll access their advice (books, speeches, documentaries, writings, etc.).
1. Advisor Name:
- Mediums to Engage:
- Specific Works to Consult:
Step 4: Set Up a Consultation Schedule
Decide how often you want to consult with your board. This could vary by the type of advice you need or your schedule.
1. Advisor Name:
- Frequency of Consultation:
- Method of Engagement:
- Example: Daily meditation, weekly readings, monthly reflections
Step 5: Application and Reflection
Describe how you will apply the advice in real-life scenarios and plan regular reflections to assess the outcomes.
1. Advisor Name:
- Application Method:
- Reflection Frequency:
- Tools for Reflection:
- Example: Journaling, discussions with a mentor, self-assessments
Step 6: Review and Adapt
Plan a schedule to review the effectiveness of your board and make adjustments as needed.
- Review Frequency:
- Criteria for Review:
- Example: Relevance of advice, personal growth, achievement of goals
This is a structured guide. It will help you form a well-rounded advisory board that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. It can enable you to actively engage with their wisdom to shape a more informed and enriched life.
The concept of a personal board of advisors is not just a creative exercise but a transformative tool for personal and professional development.
By assembling a group of inspirational figures tailored to your specific needs and aspirations, you can draw upon a reservoir of wisdom that spans centuries and disciplines.
The benefits of such a board are manifold:
1. Diverse Perspectives: Gain insights from experiences and expertise, enabling well-rounded decisions.
2. Continual Learning: Engage in ongoing education through the lives and teachings of your advisors, fostering growth and adaptability.
3. Motivation and Inspiration: Draw on the success and courage of your board members to fuel your ambition and maintain your momentum.
4. Enhanced Problem-Solving: Leverage varied viewpoints to approach challenges creatively and effectively.
5. Personal Guidance: Feel supported by the legacy of your advisors, who can serve as mentors in moments of uncertainty or struggle.
Now you can systematically identify and engage with your chosen advisors.
This structured approach clarifies your goals and enhances your interaction with your board, ensuring their wisdom is applied.
Whether you’re navigating career challenges, seeking personal growth, or striving for creative breakthroughs, your board of advisors stands ready to guide you through the complexities of modern life.
As you step forward, remember that you are backed by the collective experience of some of the greatest minds in history, tailored by you.
This is not just about learning from the past—it's about actively shaping your future with the best possible counsel at your side.
The journey ahead is yours, and it promises to be as rich and rewarding as the company you keep.