As well as offering mentoring services to new and established professional organisers, I also have used professional mentoring services myself. Sometimes it’s informal (I have a really supportive group of friends in this industry who are highly experienced, intelligent and supportive and we all draw on each other regularly) and sometimes it’s formal and I have paid for the mentoring I have received. I find it to be an invaluable tool for both professional and personal reasons.
Here are a few ways that having a mentor (formal or informal) can help you in your professional organising business.
From a professional development perspective, a mentor can provide guidance and advice on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this type of business, providing skills and knowledge. They can also provide coaching and support to help you grow and develop your skills and provide advice on other ways to gain continuing education and professional development.
Mentors can help ensure that you are adhering to ethical and legal standards in your work with clients. They can provide guidance on ethical dilemmas and legal requirements such as disclosure, confidentiality and professional boundaries to help you avoid potential risks or liabilities. They can help you learn your limitations, explore your boundaries and have the confidence to enforce them.
Networking is a bit of a necessary evil (to some!). Mentors can introduce you to individuals within your professional network, expanding your connections and opportunities for collaboration. They also might know good places you can buy products or research solutions to specific client issues.
Mentoring relationships can also provide you with emotional support, especially during challenging times. A mentor can provide encouragement, advice, and a listening ear. Another thing that I hear a lot from my mentees is that they feel more confident in their decisions after running things by me, and they are learning to trust themselves and their own instincts the more I validate them for them.
In addition to emotional support, mentoring provides an opportunity for reflective practice. It can help you explore your thoughts and feelings, gain insights into your practice, and develop new perspectives. It can also help you stay on top of your own wellbeing, with a focus on your own self-care practices.
Mentors have years of experience and perspective to bring to the relationship, providing valuable insights and advice that can inform your decisions and actions. Overall, having a mentor can be a valuable asset to professionals as they navigate their careers and strive to reach their personal and professional goals.
Do you have a mentor? What do you gain from the relationship?