Bulletproof Investing

CHAPTER 5The power of mentorship

Late in 2010, John called me into his office. As well as I knew him and as closely as we worked at intervals during the working week, these ‘could you come and see me, please?’ type instructions always put the wind up me. I gelled well with Uncle John outside the office but, at some level, I still found ‘Boss John’ intimidating. He was incredibly successful and a genuine entrepreneur. He was also a very direct communicator, with high expectations. I sat down and, after the requisite polite small talk, John cut straight to the chase.

‘What do you want, James?’

He spoke like he had fired a bullet and expected me to catch it. My inside voice said, ‘What do you mean, what do I want? I'm 20 years old. I want to earn some money, play footy, finish my university studies and meet girls.' My actual words, when I finally found them, were a little more circumspect and respectful; something about my priority being the completion of my studies at Bond University.

‘It's great you want to finish university, but what do you really want?’ John asked, underwhelmed but undeterred. ‘A man without a goal has no purpose or direction. A lot of people go through life living week to week, month to month, or year to year. Successful and happy people live with a genuine purpose and it starts with their answer to the question, “What do you want?” Think about that and come back to me.’

I racked my brain over the ensuing days but, as time ticked on, I just couldn't come ...