A true mentor connection is serendipitous, when you're not actively seeking one or following some outside direction to do so. And they can come along at all stages of our lives. I was fortunate to have several come along in my formative years who made a tremendous difference in my life. What's important is to pay that kind of care, connection, and attention forward, but also, never forced are done with self-serving intent.
Well written Jen. As an autodidact and lawyer myself, there is immense value in self-education. I’ve even written about what you’ve just discussed. The flame of curiosity, when nurtured, will create roaring blazes of beauty. Keep it up.
The self-education aspect is interesting. As someone who quit reading self-help books, I do find immense value in reading memoirs. The expansion of self-awareness I've experienced has been incredible, simply by reading the stories of the people I find inspiring.
#1 can be so hard though to navigate (just like friendship) for some of us (including but not limited to neurodivergent folks); especially when the rules aren’t clear. That’s why I still like formal mentorship programs - it’s one way to make a connection. Not a guarantee for success by any means but it increases accessibility to people willing to help.
#2 - this is where a good coach can come in! My clients appreciate most that they are encouraged to find the answers they’re looking for in themselves; it’s such a confidence builder when believing in yourself is easier said than done.
I believe in self-education; it is the only way to study yourself and pursue what's in line with yourself. Every learning will be curated to who you're and what you intend to do. It's obliterating to master yourself before anything else.
I’ve been reading voraciously. Currently at 18 books so far this year. Finished over 50 last year. Also, this newsletter has been very beneficial for self education
I am looking on self education now on writing. Thanks for writing about this. I have not even think about mentorship, though it's a good idea! Well, first I should put in the work as you put it well :)
Love your insight into mentors. I've always been looking for one with film industry access, but you're right, I would have to be a valuable asset to them as well. And in the end, it might be more time-efficient just continuing to be my own rep and embracing rejection for as long as it takes to break through. Regarding Steinbeck - he's always right. East of Eden is one of those books that changed my worldview forever.
Love it! Yes. I’ve helped a lot of folks home school. Microschools are a thing. They look for mentors. I love seeing young folks step up. The founder of Microschools was homeschooled. https://primer.com/
Think I'm going to start unsubscribing to certain newsletters, whether here or not. Like James Clear. I used to love his but now I have no way of knowing if he's writing it or AI. And about mentoring, some of my best memories from my career are when I served as an informal mentor to students interested in the law. Many of them have gone on to successful careers!
Ah, yes. Feeling vindicated after many years of rebel teaching! So glad to have had that as a background. So much changed when I found I could teach adults the same ways I taught kids. We learned more and had a lot more fun, even if it meant “teaching on your feet” instead of by-the-numbers. Thank you!
A true mentor connection is serendipitous, when you're not actively seeking one or following some outside direction to do so. And they can come along at all stages of our lives. I was fortunate to have several come along in my formative years who made a tremendous difference in my life. What's important is to pay that kind of care, connection, and attention forward, but also, never forced are done with self-serving intent.
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you, Jim 🙏
Well written Jen. As an autodidact and lawyer myself, there is immense value in self-education. I’ve even written about what you’ve just discussed. The flame of curiosity, when nurtured, will create roaring blazes of beauty. Keep it up.
Thank you, Jad! I’ll make sure to check out some of your writings
The self-education aspect is interesting. As someone who quit reading self-help books, I do find immense value in reading memoirs. The expansion of self-awareness I've experienced has been incredible, simply by reading the stories of the people I find inspiring.
I am in the same boat! I’ve moved on from self-help and find significant value in people’s stories and experiences
#1 can be so hard though to navigate (just like friendship) for some of us (including but not limited to neurodivergent folks); especially when the rules aren’t clear. That’s why I still like formal mentorship programs - it’s one way to make a connection. Not a guarantee for success by any means but it increases accessibility to people willing to help.
#2 - this is where a good coach can come in! My clients appreciate most that they are encouraged to find the answers they’re looking for in themselves; it’s such a confidence builder when believing in yourself is easier said than done.
I love this, Hanna. Coaches are invaluable also.
I believe in self-education; it is the only way to study yourself and pursue what's in line with yourself. Every learning will be curated to who you're and what you intend to do. It's obliterating to master yourself before anything else.
Exactly, Edwin 🙏
Self-directed learning is such an important skill when entering any new domain 🙏 What methods are you using to learn efficiently?
I’ve been reading voraciously. Currently at 18 books so far this year. Finished over 50 last year. Also, this newsletter has been very beneficial for self education
A very interesting read
Thank you, Karen!
This is quite impressive! It mirrors my own writings. Great to see it!
Thanks, AK!
always look forward to see what you say every week. Cheers
I am looking on self education now on writing. Thanks for writing about this. I have not even think about mentorship, though it's a good idea! Well, first I should put in the work as you put it well :)
🤗
i think book is the most underrated mentor, probably because the energy needed to understand the book or certain passage can be daunting.
I agree, Melva
So true and so sad.
🙏
Love your insight into mentors. I've always been looking for one with film industry access, but you're right, I would have to be a valuable asset to them as well. And in the end, it might be more time-efficient just continuing to be my own rep and embracing rejection for as long as it takes to break through. Regarding Steinbeck - he's always right. East of Eden is one of those books that changed my worldview forever.
🤗
Love it! Yes. I’ve helped a lot of folks home school. Microschools are a thing. They look for mentors. I love seeing young folks step up. The founder of Microschools was homeschooled. https://primer.com/
This is an excellent resource, thank you!
Think I'm going to start unsubscribing to certain newsletters, whether here or not. Like James Clear. I used to love his but now I have no way of knowing if he's writing it or AI. And about mentoring, some of my best memories from my career are when I served as an informal mentor to students interested in the law. Many of them have gone on to successful careers!
💡
Thank you for another great piece, Jen.
Thank you, Oighrig! 🙏
Ah, yes. Feeling vindicated after many years of rebel teaching! So glad to have had that as a background. So much changed when I found I could teach adults the same ways I taught kids. We learned more and had a lot more fun, even if it meant “teaching on your feet” instead of by-the-numbers. Thank you!
No, thank you!