I was mentored by a smart, fearless woman who challenged me to rise above my own preconceived notions of myself and apply my intuition and cognitive skills in every situation. I will never forget what I learned from her, she made me see myself differently. It can only be explained as seeing myself outside of my circumstances, or despite my circumstances. It is common to feel defeated when faced with unexpected challenges. The enormity of the challenge can obliterate the bigger picture. In that situation, do you see the forest or the trees? What if you looked at the situation differently?
Do you see the forest or the trees?
There are opportunities inherent in every challenging situation – opportunities for learning and growth. When faced with multiple challenges, we often become so embroiled in martyrdom that we miss the upside. The next time you are in a challenging situation, try to look at the situation objectively. Is it as dire as it seems? What is the upside? Maybe it is an opportunity disguised as a disadvantage? It could be an opportunity to help others by simply telling your story! Can you see the forest or the trees? Here is a quote from Michelle Obama about why you should view your challenges as advantages:
You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.
Michelle Obama
Having a mentor is like having a cheat sheet
As a young twenty-something-year-old, I landed a job that I felt seriously unqualified for. I knew what was required and I knew how to do it but lacked confidence in my own ability. My mentor Kathleen threw me into the deep end! With her guidance, I was able to swim. Within a few months, I was efficiently doing my job with unshakable confidence in my ability to handle any situation. If my mentor had not challenged my own preconceived notions, I probably would have been fired in the first month!
This week I had to give a short presentation about my experience as a mentee and it made me realize how positively my life was impacted by being mentored. As a mentee, you get the opportunity to learn valuable lessons from your mentor without making the mistakes they made. Being mentored is a lot like being given a cheat sheet! Once you have had the experience, it opens your eyes to how much you can learn from others if you put your ego aside.
Have you ever considered becoming a mentor?
While the benefits derived from being mentored are well known, less is said about the benefits of being a mentor. It may surprise you to learn that mentorship is a two-way street. Mentors gain several benefits including increased self-awareness, self-confidence, leadership skills, and much more. Have you considered becoming a mentor and taking advantage of these benefits?
I work with troubled teen girls in my spare time. I try to show them what life can look like beyond their current circumstances. It can be difficult because they wake up in their current reality each day. If you are reading this, I know you kept reading because this is of interest to you. If you think you can help some troubled teen girls find themselves, please leave your contact in a comment below. Or email me privately at admin@qryptonyght.com.
