Yes I’ll Be Your Mentor If You Ask Nicely

I’ve written before about how I moved up pretty fast in my career in the federal government.  Having come from a tough job in the private sector I found standing out in the government to be easy.  I just worked really hard as always, but unlike in my previous job so many in the government didn’t. 

One thing I regret however is not having an official mentor in the beginning of my federal career.  I probably could have moved up even faster with the right mentorship to help navigate the massive and sometimes inane politics and bureaucracy of a federal career. 

As I moved up and eventually (err…kinda regrettably) got into management I was asked quite a few times by junior employees to be their mentor.  I distinctly remember the first time I was asked, the feeling was immense pleasure and gratitude.  I had arrived, I thought.  This person wants to actively learn from me, so I must be doing something right. 

By the simple fact that I was jumping fast through the ranks I knew I was doing things right, but I also thought I was abrasive and frankly off-putting to people.  I didn’t suffer laziness and fools without giving them hell. 

Overall I was asked to be an official mentor about 5 or 6 times, the last one from a super-smart kid who’s star is still rising, and it was always a rewarding experience. 

But what’s even better is being asked to be a mentor in areas outside of my career.

Mentorship

What exactly is a mentor?  Oxford dictionary defines it as “an experienced and trusted adviser”.  A college guidance counselor could fit that definition, as could many other relationships in life like parents or trusted relatives. 

When it comes to a job or a skill however, mentorship allows you to get specific with advice. 

My ramblings on this blog have opened up numerous opportunities for me to be a mentor in areas not related to my career, and that is one of the reasons I’ve continued despite declining readership. 

Less than a year into this blogs life a few readers started messaging me asking for help and mentorship for mountaineering.  I advised them on how to train, what gear to get, and how to acclimatize.  Some of those exchanges have gone on for years.  I’d never turn anyone down to give that advice, it stokes me. 

Twice readers have reached out to me to help them buy their first bike.  I helped guide them through options and felt honored and grateful the whole time. 

I’ve also had a few readers over the years ask for help in graphic design and how to start selling online.  Each time I thought “wow, this person has obviously checked out my stuff to make sure I’m not a fraud and is still asking me for advice – this is amazing!”.

I even had someone ask me for guidance on starting their own blog.  We even had some zoom calls and the whole thing made me feel extremely grateful.  Heck I almost felt like a real blogger, haha.

Identity Transition

I’ve written about the loooong and slow process of transitioning my ‘work identity’ from what I’ve done in my long federal career to my new business as a graphic artist.  And even an identity as a moderately competitive age-group athlete, although I get no income from that one (yet?).

Frankly I’m not quite sure I’d even consider fully retiring early without the new validation I’ve received by being asked to be a mentor for climbing, designing, or any other thing.  I think I’m the kind of person that has to have that validation in some aspect of life to feel like I’m doing something. 

If I were following the cliche meme of sitting on the beach all day in early retirement I highly doubt anyone would ask me to mentor them on that skill.  Of course I would 110% suck at it because I can’t do it for more than 30 minutes. 

Another amazing aspect of being asked to be a mentor in these new and tertiary aspects of life is that it helps to squash imposter syndrome.  I don’t have imposter syndrome as a mountaineer or cyclist as I feel I’m pretty darn competent in those areas.  But I do have it somewhat as a blogger and I definitely still have it as a graphic artist. 

Perhaps imposter syndrome is worst for me as a graphic artist because that’s the realm that I’m now making the most income and some part of me feels undeserving of that.  Who knows.  But having a few folks ask me for design help has sure been a morale and confidence booster. 

Ideally being a mentor means teaching, and I did that for 17 years as an adjunct faculty member at a big university.  But it also means learning from the person you are mentoring, and that’s where I’m excited to take these new relationships.

Find A Mentor Be A Mentor

I’m not writing this post to toot my own horn.  I’m 100% positive each and every one of you has been asked to be a mentor numerous times, either overtly or simply through personal relationships. 

But from my experience if you want to move up in your career faster and give yourself the best chance to get to financial independence, you should seek out mentors. 

And when you’re ready to move away from your career or to early retire, it’s incredibly rewarding when you’re asked to be a mentor for things not even remotely related to your career.  That’s a signal that you’ve attained skills and diversified in life.

And it can certainly help you shed the identity of the career you’re moving away from to take on a new one.  That’s a good place to be.