The Influence of a Mentor

Allow me to take you for a little jaunt down my own memory lane for a moment. 

Picture this. It’s 2016, and I’m just about five years into running JMG Marketing. I’ve got a small team and I’m on the brink of transitioning Clearwater Construction, the construction company I own and run with my husband, Matt, into a partnership with another business.  Sounds exciting right?  It was!  But, (there’s always a “but” isn’t there?)… 

I was also experiencing and coming out of a period where I was very overwhelmed by RESPONSIBILITY. Yes I put that in caps because it was just that robust! And, I had basically created it for myself and obligated myself to it. I was running JMG, running Clearwater, and running a household that included three busy children. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.  With the new partnership for Clearwater though, there was some light at the end of the tunnel.  What I struggled to find though, was what was beyond that light for me. 

So, before we signed on that dotted line to merge Clearwater with another company, I hooked up with the amazing life coach and mentor, the beloved, Emily Clement. I worked with her intimately for a few months, meeting in her quintessential, precious, warm little New England style home.  While sitting at her beautiful dining room table, she introduced me to an eye-opening concept asking questions like: 

·        If you could be or have anything you wanted, without limitations, what would that look like?

·        What do you want?

·        How do you want to feel?

·        Where do you want to spend your time?

·        Who do you want to surround yourself with?

They seem like common conversations and questions, but how often do we do we have these conversations with ourselves?  These questions are vital to our success, yet we’re so caught up in the day to day nitty gritty of life and running a business, we forget to give ourselves the space to do so.  

Emily gave me that space and I remember it clear as day. Sitting at that dining room table, accented by the humongous mirror that hung on the wall and the gorgeous plants that adorned the room, Emily would challenge me while making me laugh and sometimes cry. She lovingly pushed me to think about where I wanted to go with my business when I didn't have the responsibility of the construction company at my desk in front of me. I had so many ideas, but didn't know where to take them! So, she nudged some more, asking, “When you felt most successful previously in your life and career what were the elements that were in place for you as support?” 

And, there it was! After giving it a lot of thought, my answer was MENTORS. 

It brought me back to my 10-year career in the corporate arena where I climbed to new levels of leadership quickly. I found myself sitting at the table with the company’s president and vice president, being asked to launch new services, increase sales, transition new acquisitions, travel to different locations, and so on. It was a lot…quickly, yet I held my own and with great success, thanks to the one consistency I had throughout my journey: MENTORS.  

I was lucky to have several mentors within the organization who at any given time I could pop in their office, stand in their doorway, or pow wow with at the lunch table. These mentors were a few steps ahead of me in their experience and we’d have conversations, real deep challenging conversations about the how, the when, the frustrations, the fears, and the “oh my God I figured it out” AHA moments.  I could share my challenges and ideas and they gladly helped me think things through, so I could deliver what was expected of me and do so with success and support. It never felt like I was doing it alone!  

I had this massive aha moment sitting with Emily. I had put myself in this position to think I had to think through all the challenges, solve all the problems, establish where I want to go and do the desired outcome that I want it all by myself. Not the case! 

Yes, this is my company and my vision, and there are different angles I can move forward with at different times, but I don’t have to do it all alone. What I really needed was somebody that was two or three steps ahead of me and had possibly done the same thing I desired to do and had possibly navigated bigger decisions or decisions like the ones I was faced with. This person could support me by challenging my thought process and giving me the encouragement I need to thrive.  I needed someone to hold my hand and walk beside me as I navigate the obstacles, and when I fall flat on my face, be there while I pick myself back up, and help me learn the lesson and how to leverage that lesson.   

Aha! My success was only going to go so far alone because I didn't have that support that I was so accustomed to back in my corporate days. That was the element I was now missing to truly achieve the success I most desired. Those mentors allowed me to excel, which ultimately gave me the skill set, the knowledge and the confidence to start my own business.  

In that moment, sitting with Emily I decided I needed to do something to welcome, find and secure a mentor back into my life. A partner who could coach, support, and guide me through the challenges I was going to face.  

That’s exactly what I did! Since then, I have had such a beautiful experience in working with handfuls of amazing mentors over the last five years, whether through different programs, group coaching, or one on one.  

Today, I encourage anyone in their own journey find a mentor, invest in a business coach, or join a business group program where the leader and the guides have achieved what you most desire. They can help you and elevate you quicker than if you were to go it alone. They also understand the pain points you're navigating.   

So, take this lesson that I learned the hard way. Allow yourself to trust that future version of what you desire to come into your life faster, because you are surrounded by amazing people who see your vision, hold your vision and have been there before. That's the influence and the possibility that we can thrive on.

Extra special thanks to the amazing ladies below! They are some of the mentors who have had the greatest impact on my life and business.