When did you last spend time with your mentor?

We met up half way between where we both live and went for a walk, which in itself was very theraputic. Walk & talk, try it.
As with all great mentors, he allowed me to get stuff off my chest, to whinge and moan a bit, and he offered his perspective and didn't judge me.
I was going on about a couple of things, firstly the challenging economic situation and difficulty generating work. He recounted stories about times in the past when he was trying to sell in previous resessions and the emotions he felt, it made me feel it was ok to feel the way I was feeling. He also said I'd look back on these times and realise I'd done pretty well staying optimistic and cracking on with new ideas and energy.
I also moaned about some of the types of jobs I'd found myself doing as if they were in some way not as rewarding as other types and he suggested it was more the philosophy I took to work with me than the work I was doing that mattered and that to do the best job I could whatever I was doing was the frame of mind with which to approach things. I liked that.
Finally, he reminded me that, really, happiness is described best in an old Chinese proverb, what we all need is;

• Someone to love
• Something to do
• Something to dream about 

I'm lucky, I've got all three. So I just wanted to say to my mentor, if you are reading this;
"Thanks Dad."

And ask you dear reader, when did you last spend time with your mentor?

Piers Carter
Coach & facilitator

What Happened to you this Week?

I've blogged before about an amazing woman, Sarah Outen. she is on a masssive round the world expedition by bike, kayak and rowing boat. Last week there were some developments resulting in her being picked up by the Japanese coast guard - not a decision she will have taken lightly. As I undretsand it 400 miles into the pacific ocean row she was hit by a storm of a severity she and her team did not expect. After being rolled something like 30 times in her tiny craft the boat sutained damage which meant she needed to be picked up and taken back to japan.
Thankfully she is safe and well and recovering with friends. Its worth reading more about Sarah and her adventure which I suspect is still not over knowing how tenacious she is. Check out http://www.sarahouten.com/blog/

Whilst you were on a normal week, maybe half term with the kids, maybe at work or school or collage think about what Sarah was going through. Amazing. Good luck Sarah whatever comes your way next and with whatever choices you make.

Ever Onwards

Piers