Lesson 4: Acquiring Mentors and the Law of 33%
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One of the most effective ways to accelerate personal growth is to learn from those who have already traveled the path you hope to follow. Mentors can help shorten the learning curve by sharing lessons that took them years—or even decades—to acquire. Instead of learning everything through trial and error, a mentor allows a person to benefit from the experience, wisdom, and mistakes of others.
Tai Lopez often recalls advice from his grandfather, who taught him that no single person possesses all the answers. As a young man, his grandfather regularly sent him books and encouraged him to seek knowledge wherever it could be found. This lesson became foundational to Tai's philosophy: the answers are out there, but they must be actively sought.
Over the years, Tai developed numerous mentors and eventually formulated a principle he calls The Law of 33%, a framework for building relationships that promote continual growth.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Throughout history, many great thinkers have acknowledged the importance of learning from others.
Pablo Picasso famously said:
"Good artists copy; great artists steal."
Similarly, Sir Isaac Newton wrote:
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
Neither statement advocates dishonesty. Rather, both emphasize the importance of building upon the knowledge, insights, and discoveries of those who came before. Progress often comes from learning what works and applying it in new ways.
Humility is required to recognize that others may already possess knowledge that can save years of effort.
Becoming a Learning Machine
Traditional education provides valuable foundations, but much of life's most important learning occurs outside the classroom. Success requires more than memorization or test-taking. It requires developing the ability to continuously acquire knowledge and adapt to change.
Human beings are born with a remarkable capacity to learn. Those who cultivate this ability become more adaptable, resilient, and capable of navigating life's challenges.
One of the goals of the 67 Steps is not simply to teach information but to help individuals realize that they possess the ability to become lifelong learners. The objective is to become a "learning machine"—someone who consistently seeks, absorbs, and applies new knowledge.
The Problem With Blind Imitation
Many people attempt to achieve success by copying another person's beliefs, habits, or strategies. However, imitation without understanding can be dangerous.
If someone copies 60 percent of another person's behavior, how can they be certain they are copying the traits responsible for that person's success? They may unknowingly imitate ineffective habits while overlooking the factors that truly matter.
The goal is not blind imitation. The goal is to understand principles, adapt them appropriately, and apply them to one's own circumstances.
The Law of 33%
You cannot spend every hour of the day with mentors. Instead, divide your waking hours into thirds. Tai's Law of 33% suggests dividing relationships into three categories:
33% of your time with people below your current level
33% of your time with people on your level
33% of your time with people above your level
This balance creates a healthy environment for growth.
Those Below You
Spending time with people who are less experienced allows you to teach, mentor, and reinforce your own knowledge. Teaching often deepens understanding while building confidence and leadership skills.
Those Beside You
As individuals grow and change, some relationships naturally evolve. It is important to maintain friendships with people who share similar experiences, challenges, and goals. These peers provide support, accountability, and companionship throughout the journey.
Those Above You
The final group consists of individuals who are further down the path you wish to travel. They possess greater experience, knowledge, and perspective in areas you hope to develop. These are your mentors. Often, they are ten to twenty years ahead of you in business, relationships, finances, health, or other areas of life. Their guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes and accelerate progress.
The Discomfort of Growth
Learning from mentors is not always comfortable. Sigmund Freud observed:
"Life, as we find it, is too hard for us; it brings us too many pains, disappointments and impossible tasks."
Many people avoid situations that expose their weaknesses or highlight how much they still have to learn. Yet growth often requires entering environments where others know more than you do. Being around highly accomplished people can feel intimidating. It may expose gaps in knowledge, experience, or skill. However, this discomfort is often a sign of growth.
A certain amount of productive stress is necessary. Too little challenge leads to stagnation, while too much can become overwhelming. The goal is to consistently place yourself in situations that stretch your abilities without breaking your confidence.
Taking Initiative With Mentors
Mentors are often busy people. They have responsibilities, businesses, families, and commitments competing for their attention. As a result, they may not always be polished teachers. Their communication may be direct, brief, or even rough around the edges. If someone wants the structure of a professional educator, a classroom may be the appropriate environment. Real-world mentors often teach differently. Their lessons come through conversations, experiences, observations, and examples.
The responsibility for learning rests primarily on the student. As one saying goes:
"I don't mind carrying a man, but I do not want him dragging his feet."
Mentors are often willing to help those who demonstrate initiative, effort, and persistence.
Avoiding the Search for Perfect Mentors
One common mistake is searching for the perfect mentor. No mentor is flawless. Every person has weaknesses, blind spots, and imperfections. Those who spend years searching for perfection often miss valuable opportunities to learn.
Instead of asking whether a mentor is perfect, ask:
Are they exceptional in the area where I seek guidance?
At the same time, exercise wisdom. While perfection is unrealistic, major character flaws should not be ignored. Character matters, particularly when choosing people whose influence may significantly shape your life.
Lessons From the Karate Kid
The movie The Karate Kid provides an excellent illustration of mentorship. Throughout much of the story, Daniel becomes frustrated because he believes Mr. Miyagi is wasting his time with chores rather than teaching him martial arts. Only later does he realize that every seemingly meaningless task was preparing him for future success.
Mentorship often works the same way. Not every lesson is immediately obvious. Some of the most valuable lessons reveal their significance only after months or years have passed. Effective students remain open to learning even when they do not fully understand the process.
Persistence and the Willingness to Try
Alexander the Great once said:
"There is nothing impossible to him that will try."
Success rarely comes from a single attempt. Progress is built through repeated effort, persistence, and a willingness to learn from both victories and failures. Many goals require showing up repeatedly, even when results are slow to appear. Persistence allows small improvements to compound into significant achievements over time.
The Power of an 18-Month Horizon
Peter Drucker observed:
"A plan can usually cover no more than 18 months and still be reasonably clear and specific."
Long-term vision is important, but effective planning often requires shorter, manageable time horizons. An 18-month goal provides enough time to achieve meaningful progress while remaining close enough to maintain clarity and focus.
Attracting Mentors
One of the most practical ways to connect with accomplished individuals is to provide value first. Tai suggests creating a blog, podcast, or platform that allows you to interview successful people. Many individuals are willing to share insights when given the opportunity to discuss their experiences. One of my personal favorite podcasts that interviews a variety of people is The Diary of a CEO with Steve Bartlett (https://open.spotify.com/show/7iQXmUT7XGuZSzAMjoNWlX?si=d806c7dd164941a4).
A simple gesture, such as sending a thoughtful thank-you note or small gift afterward, can help distinguish you from countless others seeking their attention. Relationships often begin through small acts of appreciation and professionalism.
Knowing When to Move On
Persistence is important, but so is adaptability. Not every mentorship relationship will develop as hoped. Some individuals may be unavailable, uninterested, or simply not a good fit.
There are times when continuing to pursue a relationship becomes unproductive. In such situations, it is wise to move on and seek guidance elsewhere.
Every interaction should be viewed as an opportunity to learn rather than a success-or-failure proposition.
Books as Mentors
Not all mentors must be encountered in person. Books provide direct access to the thoughts and experiences of some of history's greatest minds. Through books, readers can learn from entrepreneurs, philosophers, scientists, military leaders, investors, and countless others.
Podcasts, interviews, lectures, and videos can also serve as valuable sources of mentorship.
However, while books are powerful teachers, they do not fully replace in-person relationships. Instead, they complement and strengthen them.
The Art of Building Mentor Relationships
When interacting with mentors, respect their time. Keep conversations concise, arrive prepared, and avoid becoming overly dependent. A helpful guideline is to focus on giving value before seeking value.
Tai often recommends following a principle of three gives for every one ask. Look for opportunities to contribute, assist, or provide value before requesting help.
In addition, strive to become an interesting person. Read widely. Stay informed. Develop skills. Cultivate curiosity. Meaningful conversations create lasting impressions and often open doors to future opportunities.
Different Mentors for Different Areas of Life
No single mentor can provide expertise in every area. A person may have one mentor for business, another for marriage, another for health, another for investing, and another for spiritual growth.
The objective is not to find one individual who knows everything. The objective is to build a network of guidance that helps you grow across all dimensions of life.
Summary
Mentors can dramatically shorten the path to success by providing wisdom, perspective, and experience that would otherwise take years to acquire. Through humility, persistence, and a commitment to lifelong learning, individuals can build relationships that accelerate growth. The Law of 33% reminds us to maintain a balance between teaching those behind us, growing alongside our peers, and learning from those further ahead. By actively seeking knowledge from books, mentors, and life experiences, anyone can become a learning machine capable of continual improvement.
Key Takeaways
Mentors can dramatically shorten the learning curve by sharing knowledge and experiences that took them years to acquire.
No single mentor has all the answers. Seek wisdom from multiple sources, including mentors, books, podcasts, and personal experiences.
Become a lifelong learner by continually seeking, absorbing, and applying new knowledge.
Study successful people to understand the principles behind their success rather than blindly copying their behaviors.
Apply the Law of 33% by intentionally spending time with people you can mentor, peers who encourage you, and mentors who challenge you to grow.
Teaching those with less experience reinforces your own understanding and develops leadership skills.
Surrounding yourself with peers who share similar goals provides accountability, encouragement, and perspective.
Seek mentors who are further along the path you want to travel, even if learning from them feels uncomfortable.
Growth often occurs outside of your comfort zone. Feeling challenged or intimidated is often a sign that you are learning.
Do not look for perfect mentors. Instead, find people who excel in the specific areas where you want to improve while exercising wisdom regarding their character.
Take initiative in mentor relationships by respecting their time, asking thoughtful questions, and providing value whenever possible.
Books, interviews, podcasts, and online resources can serve as valuable mentors, but they are most effective when combined with real-life relationships.
Persistence is essential when seeking mentors, but recognize when a relationship is no longer productive and be willing to move on.
Set realistic, measurable goals—such as an 18-month plan—to provide direction while remaining flexible enough to adapt.
Build relationships based on mutual value. Giving before asking fosters trust and creates stronger, longer-lasting mentorships.
Different areas of life often require different mentors. Seek guidance from individuals with expertise in the specific areas where you want to grow.
Becoming a "learning machine" requires humility, curiosity, persistence, and the discipline to continually invest in personal growth.
A Faith-Based Reflection
When I think about mentors, I immediately think of the relationship between a rabbi and a disciple. That relationship provides one of the clearest biblical pictures of mentorship. In first-century Jewish culture, a disciple did far more than simply learn information from a rabbi. The disciple sought to imitate the rabbi's entire way of life—his character, priorities, habits, and understanding of God's Word. The goal was not merely to know what the rabbi knew, but to become the kind of person the rabbi was.
This is the model Jesus established with His own disciples. He did not simply lecture them; He lived alongside them. They observed how He prayed, served others, responded to adversity, and taught the Scriptures. Their education came through relationship as much as instruction. In fact, Jesus' invitation was not simply to "learn from Me," but to "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19). Following required humility, teachability, and a willingness to be transformed.
The Apostle Paul embraced this same pattern of mentorship when he wrote, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul understood that spiritual growth often occurs through faithful men and women who model what it means to live a life devoted to God. Throughout Scripture, wisdom is frequently passed from one generation to the next through intentional relationships.
At the same time, Scripture teaches that every human mentor is imperfect. Even the greatest biblical leaders had flaws. Therefore, mentors should be appreciated for the wisdom they offer, but never elevated above God's Word. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, believers are called to receive instruction eagerly while examining everything against the truth of Scripture. Humility means being teachable, but it also requires discernment. This too is an excellent lesson in dentistry when seeking new information and testing that against the existing evidence.
A wise disciple seeks mentors who have walked faithfully ahead, learns from their experience, and imitates what aligns with Christ. As Proverbs 13:20 reminds us, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." The people we choose to follow inevitably shape who we become.
Ultimately, every earthly mentor points beyond themselves to the greatest Rabbi—Jesus. Human mentors can shorten our learning curve and help us grow in wisdom, but only Christ offers perfect truth and the model for a life fully lived. As disciples of Christ, the goal is not simply to accumulate knowledge, but to become more like the One we follow.
Reflection and Journaling
Take a few minutes to consider the following questions and write down your thoughts:
Who are the three people that have had the greatest positive influence on my life, and what have I learned from each of them?
Do I currently have mentors in the areas of life that matter most—such as faith, marriage, career, finances, or health? If not, where do I need guidance most?
Looking at the Law of 33%, am I intentionally spending time with:
People I can mentor?
Peers who encourage and challenge me?
People who are further ahead than I am?
Am I humble enough to seek advice from those with more experience, or does pride keep me from asking for help?
Who is someone I admire that I could learn from over the next 12–18 months? What is one practical step I could take to connect with them or learn from their work?
In what ways am I actively investing in my own growth through books, courses, podcasts, or other educational resources?
Have I ever missed an opportunity to learn because I was too intimidated, impatient, or unwilling to step outside my comfort zone?
What qualities do I value most in a mentor, and do those qualities reflect the kind of person I hope to become?
Am I adding value to the lives of my mentors, or am I only focused on what I can receive from them?
Who could benefit from my knowledge or experience? How can I intentionally invest in someone who is earlier in their journey?
What is one 18-month goal that would significantly improve my life, and what mentors or resources could help me achieve it?
If someone observed the people I spend the most time with, what direction would they conclude my life is headed? Do those relationships align with the future I want to build?