I’m BAAAAAACK! and guess what? This consistency business I mentioned in the last post IS working.
So, today for the very first time (yes, first time!) – I am sitting at a café, dancing in my seat and writing. I love this! I also love working from home; however, with 3 very (VERY) active kiddos – it’s very difficult to focus. I’ve always wondered how anyone got anything done at these cafés without being distracted by people going in and out, music blastin’ and coffee grinders grinding, etc. I think when you are in the right mindset and have a game plan – you can execute it just about anywhere.
I stepped outside my comfort zone and will do it again (as soon as someone can watch my kids, he he he!).
If you have started to follow me and read my blog – you are probably wondering what it is that I am trying to say. In the next couple of posts, I will explain my little project and why iMINDeveryday.
iMINDeveryday stands for iMENTOR, iINSPIRE, iNETWORK and iDEVELOP – every day. (See that consistency thing is here again).
iMIND because it matters! It matters to set an example for my children, my family, my friends, my colleagues and my community. Each of us has the power to bring kindness and growth to others.
It starts with holding ourselves accountable. We must lead and live by example. We all have expectations of others but are we living up to the same standards we hold others to? Look deep down inside and ask yourself, if you are always the best version of yourself? I know I have a long way to go. Today is a new day. Make a commitment to yourself and try to MIND every-single-day.
Let’s start with this new, trendy word: MENTOR. Here is a basic definition:
men·tor (pronounced -ˈmenˌtôr’). Noun: mentor; plural noun: mentors.
– An experienced and trusted adviser, guide, guru, counselor, consultant. Other synonyms: trainer, teacher, tutor, instructor, confidant
Some definitions refer to a mentor as someone who advises younger individuals… I do not agree. Below is my definition of a mentor.
Notice, how MENTOR starts with ‘MEN’ – know that a mentor can be any gender and any age. A mentor can be a good or a bad person. A mentor can have a direct or indirect impact on you and the best one; a mentor might just appear out of nowhere. Sometimes, someone leaves an impression on you without realizing it and vice versa. A mentor is someone you learn from, what you want to and don’t want to become.
I am constantly asked about my mentors and how I find them. I feel that people put so much pressure on this word. Please don’t! Instead silence yourself, open you mind, ears and eyes to the people around you. You are surrounded with mentors that have shaped you into the person you are today and others that will shape you into the person you will become tomorrow. I know this is deep! Lol! – but so very true. We put so much emphasis on following celebrities, CEOs of global companies, people out of reach and we often forget about our everyday surroundings. Mentors do not come with a label. There are organizations that volunteer mentorship services within various industries and disciplines but you can also develop these relationships yourself.
I have never considered myself a mentor. I am young and still have a lot of growing up to do. Who could possibly benefit from me and my experiences? – Well, to my surprise, I have a mini following of people that have benefited from formal and informal conversations with me and took the time to tell me how I’ve changed their life (yes…for the better).
I mentioned that mentors can be bad. There is probably a better word to describe them but since English is my second language, let’s just leave it at that. Believe it or not – you can actually learn from people’s poor choices and make life changing decisions to NOT follow in their footsteps/behaviors and even want to go above and beyond to become an advocate for those that can’t advocate for themselves.
I have luckily experienced both, of course more of the good ones. I appreciate the support and feedback from people that have crossed paths with me, which is what encouraged me to try to motivate you to MIND every single day.
iMIND – do you?
