National Mentoring Month started in 2002 through a partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health. We asked our members to tell us the top piece of advice or wisdom their mentor gave them. We’ve gathered their responses below.
“The best thing I learned from my former boss and mentor was, “don’t answer ‘No, because…’ answer, ‘Yes, if…’.” This has made all the difference in working on projects with team members, as well as with clients!”
~Gwen Beren, Illuminous Marketing @IlluminousGwen
Focus on leveraging and optimizing your strengths rather than trying to improve your weaknesses.…
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A mentor told me, “Why work on getting your left hand to write block letters if you can become a master calligrapher by working on your right hand?” ~ Eileen Zimmerman, Wander Wet Bags
One of the most important things that my mentor and former employer taught me was to “take care of yourself first, if you don’t then you can’t take care of anyone else”. I think about this often and relay these words to my former employees and colleagues. There is a reason why flight attendants tell us to put on our own oxygen mask first before helping others! ~ Dani Witowski, Life Inspired Lifestyle Services
“Disciplined systems breed freedom.” ~ Jessie Donahue, Hera Hub
Always be very friendly to the Judge’s clerk, staff and people behind the scenes. Kindness goes a long way. Andrea Schneider, The Best You @AndreaJD
“Watch people’s feet, not their mouths….” ~ Rachel Kowalski, Free Wave Productions @RachelAKowalski
“He who talks the most has the least” ~ Felena Hanson @FelenaHanson
Always take the high road. Janeal Ford, Fordable Freelance @Janeal911
“Know when to stop raising your hand and start raising your voice.” Fellow full-time working mom and serial school volunteer. ~ Virgen Olvera, Tinking Techy @Virgen4Vida
It’s okay for people who are doing good in the world to also earn a decent living.” One of my clinical supervisors in a graduate social work internship was instrumental in the formation of my identity as a social worker and as a professional, impressing upon me early in my career that martyrdom is overrated.
~Amy Abrams, Alzheimers San Diego @AmyReneeAbrams
She told me that the best thing we can do as coaches is to always “be a compassionate witness” to our clients. ~ Amanda Flisher, Amanda Flisher Coaching @AmandaFlisher
“Action is the quickest way out of a rut. Not thinking, planning, or brainstorming – actually taking action.” ~ Cassie Nevitt, Present With Confidence @AVibrantBody
It’s better to ask for forgiveness than for permission ~ Jill Roughan, Sciencia Consulting @JillRoughan
My marketing mentor Adam Urbanski encouraged me to stick to one thing. He said, “You’ve just scratched the surface with this book-writing weekend. Keep at it.” Donna Kozik, Write A Book in a Weekend @DonnaKozik
You can do anything you want if you set your mind on it,” my Mom. “Thanks,” Mom. “I want to teach people who want to be free.” “Great,” she says, “just set your mind on it.” So I did.
~ SharonAnn Hamilton, Freedom Quest Academy
You must first learn to crawl before you walk and walk before you can run. ~ Melissa Glaze, Hera Hub
“When in doubt, hire it out.” If the task is something you don’t enjoy doing, or aren’t sure how to do; it’s best to ask for help early and deliver on time than be late and over budget. ~ Laura Hardwood, Laura Harwood Design
Just starting out my copywriting teacher said, “Don’t take that first job because it pays more money. Go where they do the best work.” Creative career 2.0: “Have a side passion project that’s pure you.” Indeed, all that passion has now oozed out into my paid client work. ~ Anne McColl, The Best D@mn Copywriter @AnneMcColl
“There will always be doubters and naysayers, use them to fuel your fire to do the hard things you know have to be done.” Christy Heiskala, Educate To Eliminate @Edu2Eliminate
Did you get a great piece of advice from a mentor? Let us know below in the comments or send us a Tweet @HeraHub!