Inspiration is all around (you just have to look)

I’ve recently been writing about mentoring and it’s made me really think about who in my life I’d consider to be a mentor and also who’s had an influence on me without me necessarily noticing at the time.

If you’d asked me about whether I had a mentor (let alone mentors) a couple of years ago I probably would have laughed. But now that I’ve really considered what a mentor is, I’ve realised that there are a couple of people in my life who are informal mentors to me now, and there have been others in the past too.

Firstly, I think I should probably explain how I’d define the kind of mentor I’ve been lucky enough to have. I’m not talking about a formal mentoring arrangement, more a personal relationship that inspires me.   

And that’s what I think is so wonderful about what I’ve come to realise - there are people all around us who inspire us in one way or another, but if you don’t know to look for them you don’t realise what they’re giving you.

When I was writing about mentoring for a client, it was more focused on a structured mentoring relationship, but the way in which mentors inspire and help you up your game made me realise that I have people like that in my life, they’re just not necessarily involved with me from a professional perspective.

My mentors

I have a fantastic friend who I teach SUP with. She’s an inspiring woman at the best of times, but she has definitely been a positive influence on me, and has been nothing other than supportive since I first told her I was considering leaving a full-time job and going freelance.

We’ve had a few conversations about work while we’ve been out on the water - incidentally, it’s a great environment for a mentoring session. I think if I ever become a mentor to anyone I’m going to suggest we meet on the water. Anyway, I’ve never asked her to be my mentor, but she’s definitely inspired and encouraged me. She’s challenged me to be better and taught me to trust in my abilities.

Then I started to think about other people who have had a positive influence on me, and who I’d also consider to be something of a mentor.

I had a particular friend at university who is probably the person I’d consider to be my first mentor. Her name was Bengu (Ben). She was incredible. She was so motivated, so driven and eternally kind. Sadly she passed away a few years ago. I still miss her.

There were many amazing things about her, but one of the things that stuck out for me was that she didn’t just want to succeed herself, she wanted to help others succeed as well. She pushed me to do so many things while I was at university that I’d never have tried myself - she dragged me out of my comfort zone, at times kicking and screaming, but she was always right, I enjoyed it in the end and it made me better at what I did (journalism at that point in my life).

Even after we left university, she never stopped challenging me. Whenever we spoke on the phone or met for a coffee (far too infrequently really), she’d ask what I was doing and then make suggestions about other things I could try. She could sense when I wasn’t quite happy with where I was at and would always give me a nudge in the right direction.

And to me, that’s what a mentor is all about. Formal or informal, deliberate or accidental, it doesn’t matter. There are people in our lives who inspire and encourage us. We don’t always realise they’re doing it until we stop and take notice, but they are - and they’re so important. Personally and professionally they make you better. I only hope I can have that effect on someone one day.

Ben and I the day we graduated

Yoga and me

I spent three hours yesterday afternoon at a fantastic yoga workshop focusing on the spine. Before I left home, I was in a bit of a crappy mood and wasn’t sure going out was the right plan (movies, chocolate, the dog and the sofa were all calling). But I went and it was a wonderfully challenging and relaxing three hours - just what I needed as it turned out.

When I first started practising yoga about five years ago, I was amazed at how I was able to completely switch off when I was on my mat. Working through different postures and focusing on my breath allowed me to disengage my thoughts in a way I’d never managed before.

I’ve practised various kinds of yoga since I first started and without exception they’ve all helped me focus my thoughts and stop worrying about day-to-day life.

Yoga and focus

Currently I attend power vinyasa flow classes and I love them. They are some of the most challenging and advanced yoga classes I’ve ever been to and they are fantastic when it comes to my focus.

During a class, I’m concentrating so much on my posture, the muscles I need to be engaging, my breathing and often my balance that I don’t have time to think about anything else. I think it’s really good for me to completely disconnect from the other aspects of my life - and I have yet to find many other ways to really switch off (scuba diving is another one that works, but more about that another day).

But this enhanced focus when it comes to my yoga practice can transfer into my work. I often feel energised after a class, or indeed my own practice, and that gives me renewed energy and focus for my work.

When I was still working in an office, a friend and I started doing yoga on our lunch breaks once or twice a week. On those days, my afternoons were often much more productive because I’d taken the time to disconnect mentally and move physically.

Yoga play at the seaside is fun too

Yoga and relaxation

As well as stretching me mentally and physically, I also find yoga incredibly relaxing. While relaxation won’t be on my mind in the middle of a challenging flow, or while I’m trying to hold my body in some seemingly impossible position, the sense of calm I feel at the end of a class is incredible.

When I let my whole body relax after working so hard - and similarly allow my mind to relax after focusing so much - a great sense of calm and relaxation comes over me.

Although it’s hard to replicate that during a working day, I’ve found that certain breathing techniques I’ve learned through yoga can help me calm down when I’m getting stressed. And with a little bit of time, they can also help me focus my mind and come back to the task in hand, rather than letting my mind wander.

Yoga is all about presence in the moment, finding balance and letting go of the trivialities that hold us back.

For me, it’s an important tool to help me focus on what’s important in life, not just work. It also gives me an outlet for my body, which as a writer can be neglected. I’m guilty of sitting in a bad posture and not moving enough during the day, which is why I find making time for my yoga practice at home so important.

Namaste.