Waymarkers

 

Old waymarker

colin grice CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The time with mentors is distilled. It is what precedes the corrective time, when you make adjustments.  It is when you get feedback, though it is nothing so crass.  Good mentors are not so unsubtle. The time with them is when you test things out against their strength or mind or experience. Having tested, you decide whether to follow their track for the next stage or take your own. You don't have to follow.  You probably shouldn't. But it is wise to be at least informed when you haven't been 'there' before.

The mentor is a a landmark, a reference point, a waymarker.  The marker may not always be obvious. 

Most of the time is learning on one's own.  There are some pointers, a direction, some stories from experience, maybe even some travellers tips or a sketched map. You need the gist of the way, thereafter you can ask again or use other resources. It gives you confidence to know where to begin.  It might help you avoid some of the more common errors and it means you have an idea of your goal.