Why I Became a Mentor: Paul M. Gozzo

Why I became a mentor: Paul M. Gozzo

It took me over a decade to realize just how enormous the hole was left in my life after my father passed. When I finally came to grips with his passing, I became even more thankful for all the time I did have with my Dad. At one point I wondered, what is it like for a kid who never really has had a Dad? If I had a hole left in my heart when my father passed, what does that young man have in his heart, the kid who never actually had a Dad around?

I then began to think about how I could reach out and help fatherless kids. Before I became a mentor, I had always thought that a mentor was someone that you looked up to. Someone that the mentee picked and it was usually reserved for an older person in the same field, like the same sport, or the same instrument. And while this may be true, I later learned there is plenty of need for mentors in life and the first key to being a good mentor is just simply first by being there and present, then simply by being real and leading by example.

Spending time with a kid is about consistency and honesty, not always preaching and teaching. They are watching you and learning from you. Simply being present is often a big help and for the kid without his Dad around, that kid is in void of the many valuable learning experiences that boys receive from their old man. It is natural and you will know, if you serve as a volunteer with the youth, when a kid is drawn to you. He will seek you out and want to hang out with you. Then it is on and it is up to you to be consistent, real, and therefore honest through your actions.

Sure, you can draw from the mistakes you have made in life and “teach” that child. But really, words are words and talk is cheap. By example is the way to go. For example, when that kid sees you go out of your way to open the door for a female, or pick-up after yourself when you are through with a meal, he is seeing and learning live, in real time. Talking or preaching about mistakes is not as affective.
 

Getting to the point that you can influence young kids positively as a mentor takes time. You must be consistent and show up at the events that you sign up for. You must take time to listen and not always offer advice. You must simply be yourself and they will eventually be drawn to you as a friend/mentor and you will know it is time to lead by example when that kid begins to seek you out. But you are not his friend, you his mentor, and one that leads by example. You can share that you do not have all the answers, but you do have experience. And you will find that most of the time, simply being present and listening is enough to have a breakthrough.

I encourage those who read this and have an inclination, to seek out ways you can become a mentor in your community. You can find the time. You absolutely can find the time. We are all “busy”, so you are not alone there.  If you had a great relationship with your father, or if you had none at all, you might be able to help the next generation and in doing so, you may just help yourself in the process. Good luck!

Are You A Hater: As Told By Paul M. Gozzo

Are you a Hater?

No way man, not me.

That’s what you say. But read further, I think you are.

If you feel good when someone else falls, someone you know, like an old teammate, classmate, coworker, neighbor, or even someone you called friend. You are a hater.

If you are rooting against the Miami Heat not because you are a not a big Heat fan but because you don’t like them or you simply don’t like Lebron James whom you never met. You are a hater.

Your friend has his handicap down to a 7 and you are making all sorts of excuses for not being as good as him at golf. Ya, you’re a hater.

Your hunting buddy has shot a deer with a bigger rack, turkey with a longer beard, more ducks, or more pheasant, whatever the case, and you are not the top dog. Yet you are not happy for him? Ya man, you’re a hater.

You drive a Chevy so on NASCAR Sundays, you root for Chevy drivers, but when another manufacturer wins, you don’t just move on, you are pissed and start ripping on the winner saying things about his crew chief and how they cheat, or his owner, and finally the winning driver himself, saying “I just don’t like how he handles himself, I think he is arrogant”.

A healthy rival is one thing. I think of the Yankees and Red Sox and how in general, each team’s fan base doesn’t just love their team, they hate the other team. That’s fine, you are rivals. No hating here. But a Sox fan ripping on the Yankees 26 Championships is starting to bring the hate in a little. The “Jeter Sucks” chants definitely bring in the hate when in fact you are chanting that one of the best players in baseball history….sucks?

At this point, you are saying, “no not me”. You wouldn’t do any of these would ya. “I’m not a hater you say.

Really. Someone sent you this blog for a reason…

Are you ever jealous of ANYONE’s car, clothes, or girlfriend? Maybe even their wife or kids? Their house?

How about how much professional athletes make like Floyd Mayweather at greater than $20 million a fight?

Were you ever slightly angry with Mark Zuckerberg or that snake who made no money with Napster but still ended up being a billionaire by befriending Zuckerberg through Facebook? But you had no problem tooling on the Winkleboss brothers right.??
 

No, not me, I’m, not a hater.

Jealousy can be masked as hatred. “Hating-on” or being a “Hater” has its roots in jealousy. Your insecurities will shine in this department. I know many from my old circles who are not much more than insecure little men who hate. Plain and simple.

Don’t hate. But even worse, don’t claim you are not a hater when you really are.

*This message is brought to you from PureLove *

Paul M. Gozzo Real Estate Press Release June 2013

Paul M. Gozzo of Jupiter, Florida has been investing in real estate since graduated from Amherst College in 1998. Transitioning from the equity trading desk to equity research and most recently to real estate research with a focus on distressed acquisitions was a logical move for Paul M. Gozzo. “My interest in residential and commercial real estate began as a kid when I followed my father around to his various real estate projects.”

Paul M. Gozzo spends his weeks split mostly between South Florida, greater Orlando, and Jacksonville, Florida as well as other areas of the Southeastern United States where he analyzes various projects for his diversified group on individual and institutional clients. Research experience in both the financial and real estate markets gives Paul Gozzo a different background than most other analysts in the real estate space who tend to start out and stick with the  one discipline. But Paul M. Gozzo feels his real niche is in having buy-side experience. He says, “having invested myself, I understand what my client’s wants and needs are as well as what their tolerance for pain may be. When you have actually pulled the trigger yourself and lived through those emotions, it gives you a much different seat at the table as an analyst.”

When not one the road or in the office, Paul M. Gozzo enjoys all of the splendors of living in South Florida including fishing and golfing as well as serving the community. Paul donates his time monthly to helping to keep local beaches clean with The Friends of Jupiter Beach and when possible, he serves at St. Georges Soup Kitchen in Riviera Beach, Florida where he helps to prepare and serve a hot meal to over 200 people in need.

For up to date information on Paul M. Gozzo, follow him on Twitter, Blogger, Google+, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Phish: Silent in the Morning → Weekapaug Groove [HD] 2013-07-03 - Bangor...

Paul M. Gozzo's Video of Pato Banton Performing Live

Paul Gozzo watched Pato Banton perform live at Guananbas in Jupiter, Fl.