Photo by Damian Lynch on Unsplash
Thanks for joining us today and welcome to the Mindful Designer. If you’re not subscribed, please do so and we promise to deliver each issue directly to your inbox 📨
Mentors
I’ll tell you what; a mentor, mentee relationship is an adventure for all parties involved.
A mentor observes the effect of their feedback and advice - their influence, in the craft and life of their mentee and the apprentice gains from their appreciation of the mentor-mentee relationship.
I’ve been opportune to apprentice under great coaches and mentors in my design journey to date; their wisdom and knowledge has rubbed off on me in more ways than one.
From each apprenticeship I have benefited immensely - something any mentor would affirm to, the question for the mentee to answer and judge for themselves is the one of ‘How much more can I get out of this relationship?’
One huge myth when it comes to apprenticeship is whether to get a mentor who’s older or not, and should we both parties be in contact at all times. 1). I don’t believe the mentor necessarily has to be older, the younger generation with their rizz can influence things in ways that older generations might not perceive those trends. 2). Remember that mentors have a life of their own to live and close contact always is near zero.
Alternatively, I’ve been mentored by books; biographies and other writings of histories brightest minds, including the stoics.
One of the most impactful books I’ve ever read is the biography of John D. Rockefeller Sr. In 1870 Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company which he ran until 1897. He completely revolutionised industry when he was active and did it as someone who was highly religious.
He never hid his love for Jesus and lived a very disciplined life. He’s still celebrated to date for what he contributed to the American economy.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship has has helped me close gaps which I otherwise would have taken longer to get headway with; it has supported by erasing and replacing attributes in my mental my mental models and frameworks by which I conduct my personal and public practice.
Through relationships with my mentors things I previously considered unachievable suddenly looked more attainable, by observation with how they conducted their public practice and otherwise; I’ve gained a more holistic appreciation for work & life.
A great mentor-mentee relationship leaves cues for both parties to tend to and grow in their mindset and approaches.
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
For I, the lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘fear not, I will help you’.
Outside of interacting with mentors & mentees, and in reading books of personal interest; podcasting is another great way to learn by listening to successful creators who have done it inn the past and are open to sharing their wisdom, knowledge and experience.
Lately on YouTube I’ve been listening to The Mindset Mentor: How To CONNECT To Your FUTURE & ATTRACT Your Dreams Effortlessly (It's SIMPLE!) and Tim Ferriss’s conversation with Seth Godin How to Overcome Resistance — Seth Godin.
One thing of importance to note is that Apprenticeship isn’t a magical blue pill that automatically means you benefit without effort, to gain the relationship needs to be intentionally and disciplined.
Again do not limit yourself to one mentor or the other. A platform like adplist.org is ‘Democratizing mentorship for all’; and it’s a great place for apprenticeship online going by the reviews it gets.
Mentor-Mentee
The books I’ve benefited from the most haven’t been the sorts to thumb through in one sitting. It’s in the going away to put the ideas into practice that I often cross the chasm of resistance and begin to enjoy the benefits of well being that comes with apprentiiceship.
Next time you’re out for coffee, an ice cream run or hiking with your mates lean into the conversation, there’s no way to tell where nuggets good ideas come from to take root.
A mentor-mentee relationship is a transition point from one phase to another, and different periods may require different approaches.
I’m yet to come across a one size fits all approach when it comes to apprenticeship.
Seek out voices that resonate and those that don’t, it’s in this back and forth that the turning of the page happens where seeds grow and bear fruit in due season.
Until next time, remember we can all be more mindful✌🏾 ~ Silas
Our bestselling journal pad in @ dtfshop is still up on sale. If you’re on the hunt for a smooth writing pad, this AUD $55.99 now AUD47.15 is a gem in the rough.