On the last day of summer in my house, I have long followed this one simple mantra. It’s a model for mentorship, too.
Be still.
Everyone in my house is gearing up for new experiences starting tomorrow. New teachers, new students, new routines, new bus routes, new lunch mates, new adventures. It’s a lot, and it’s enough to leave a person really hooked by it.
So starting first thing in the morning, I have opted for stillness. I make myself available for whatever someone needs. (Maybe I also did quite a bit of baking today…)
I’m not seeking out situations, I’m not looking for problems and solving them…that approach could well exacerbate nerves. I wait, I am available. I am still.
This is a good model for mentorship, too. Sometimes mentorship is asserting yourself in your mentee, offering solicited and even unsolicited advice. But other times, you need to just…be available. Anticipate where you’re need and then be there.
Any growth journey comes with challenges. It’s sure nice when someone you trust just happens to be around when you find yourself challenged.