Lessons from a mentor

Yesterday I attended a mentoring session hosted by Nancy A. Gutierrez, Dean of UNC Charlotte’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I was one of fourteen students chosen to attend.

There was a five-person panel, breakout groups and a brief Q & A session. It was an informative meeting and, even though my schedule was over-full, I’m glad I took time to participate. Because there was so much information, and yesterday was so busy, I’m still digesting our conversations.

Probably the biggest overriding lessons– some of which I needed to hear yesterday– were these: Networking is key, focus is essential, it’s O.K. to say “no” (something I should do more often) and people genuinely want to help others, but sometimes you have to ask.

I was also reminded of how rewarding a mentor-mentoree relationship can be– and that not all mentors are in your life for long periods of time. You might only spend a few hours with someone who will offer insights that will touch your life for the remainder.

For instance, I conducted an interview with T.J. Reddy earlier in the day. We had difficult time connecting, but when we finally did he said, “We’ll make this happen.”

So, we did. Unfortunately, we met days after I hoped during the busiest day I’ve had in a while– which is really saying something. Some how we missed each other at our meeting place and ended up circling each other around a small building on campus. I was tired, I was stressed, I was winded and flustered. It was not my best moment.

By the time I left the interview, though, I was calm and feeling more enlightened than when I arrived. Mr. Reddy was very kind. We had a great chat. As we left he, a former writer for The Charlotte Observer, said, “I told you we’d make it happen. I can tell this is going to be a great story.”

Now, I may never see Mr. Reddy again– who knows, I hope that’s not the case– but I feel like I’m a better person for having spent a little time talking to him. So, I’ll count him in as a mentor-for-a-day. I learned a lot from him, but one lesson I need to immediately implement in my life is this: I must take more time to rest and take care of myself.

I’m racing around doing things for everyone else, often trying to earn business or keep business or prove something to someone. But, if I don’t start taking better care of myself– and now– I’m going to fizzle out fast.

That’s going to be difficult to do this weekend, I’m already heavily committed. I might not even really be able to re-focus on myself until after graduation, which is only 69 days away. But, that time is coming– and, that’s good because I need a break. Tick. Tock.