What the heck is mentoring?
Sly side-eye from a four-year-old me.
If you're anything like me, the word "mentor" conjures images of... Not me. Maybe a buttoned-up former executive who donates their time to up-and-comers.
It isn't the most natural thing for me to claim to be. But the way I interpret and enact this word, is.
I grew up convinced I was a misfit; an outsider in my family, with my peers, dying to escape childhood and begin my real life. But try as I might, I couldn't seem to find my real life. I felt like I was always on the verge of figuring it out, so close.
I desperately wanted a mentor, some wise soul who would take me under their wing and show me the way. I crossed paths with lots of amazing people. But I never found that one, kind guru. In fact, when I did encounter individuals who were willing to tell me what I should do, something inside said, "Run!"
I searched. I stumbled. I got back up. I wiped out. I tried again. Somewhere along the way, I became the person I'd been looking for.
What does mentoring look like, practically?
It looks a lot like talking to a friend. I just happened to be highly experienced in a lot of life's most difficult challenges. The ambiguous parts that are easy to ignore, but cause the most confusion and regret. I'm great at helping you answer the Big Questions that we all eventually face.
What are your credentials?
I started out studying psychology, but after my undergraduate degree I decided that I didn't want to be a clinician.
I moved overseas and spent my twenties living and working in all sorts of sectors, in different countries. I trained as a life coach but decided that wasn't my path either. Before all that, I had been deeply involved in Christian ministry and missionary work around the world.
For well over a decade now I have been raising my kids and keeping my shit together. Now that they are old enough for a pivot, I've begun to formally offer what I have always done; ask questions, pursue wisdom, guide others.
The best way to gain insight into my perspective and potential collaboration with you, is to read some of my writing.
Mentoring is not giving out answers and directing anyone else.
It's about being safe and reliable conversationalist while riding shotgun in someone else's story. You are the person you've been looking for. I'm stoked to ride along.
How do I sign up?
In person and virtual conversations can be scheduled through my calendar.