mentor Archives - Daryl Watson

Tag Archive for: mentor

Undaunted

January 31, 2023

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞…

For eighteen months or two years, thousands of 18 – 26 young men and women leave their homes voluntarily and at their own expense, to serve a mission in far off lands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Later today, we will receive another five, who will serve in Belgium and the Netherlands for a season, namely: Kiera Wadsworth, Grace Warner, Brigitta Broadbent, Pedro Jalo and Ian Schwab.

Each of them will serve thousands of miles from home.

It is viewed as an exciting adventure, with an instant network of friends to help them adjust to their home away from home.

It is in their homes that they will have learned the values by which will guide their lives.

I know too that homes are places where life’s greatest lessons are learned and taught.

Yet now, they will be learning, living and working in a completely different cultural environment from their experience of home life so far.

Overcoming the language barrier can also make it difficult at times.

It is the daunting reality of missionary life.

Yet – they are 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝.

Each of them arrives with their luggage, containing only a few physical possessions.

They are however, armed with a deep-rooted desire, faith, and hope as they individually embark upon their period of missionary service.

Theirs is a mission of love and service.

Empathising, both Monic and I are constantly trying to put ourselves back in their shoes.

It’s 30+ years since we both served respectively, far from home.

As Mission leaders and mentors, we have many roles, including to provide a bit of a pick-me-up when things are challenging.

Frequently, we help missionaries to see the big picture and how they’re making progress.

For missionaries, knowing that someone cares about their personal well-being and believes in them can help them deal with the umpteenth “rainy” day on their mission.

And then, before they know it, like a few in the picture below, their time is over.

Its transfer day today.

It means much change throughout the mission to accommodate those arriving and departing.

With a heart filled with love, we bid farewell to our dear friends who are returning home in the next few days Julia Hyer, Nefi Regalado, Harrison Wright and Rafe Baldwin.

Mission accomplished, as they return home with honour.

What has been your experience living thousands of miles away from home?

Who is your wise guide?

September 18, 2022

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞?

Harry Potter had Dumbledore and Hagrid…

Luke Skywalker had Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda…

Froda Baggins had Gandalf…

Mowgli had Bagheera…

With the development of each fictional character, a wise guide arrives in each of their life’s.

As they place their faith in their wise guide, ultimately, he supports them toward their destiny.

Unlike many fictional movie characters however, real life is another matter altogether.

The Wisest Guide of All

Personally, my faith is not founded upon imaginary characters and their guides, but upon the wisest guide of all, even Jesus Christ.

Wise guides are not only wise, but they are also guides.

Guides direct, instruct, lead, shepherd and show us the way.

In the scriptures, the admonition to “Come, follow me” is repeated several times.

Similar phrases such as, “Walk with me,” “Follow me,” “Come unto me,” are also used regularly.

It is a very simple, direct, and powerful invitation.

The decision to follow Him, is a very personal one, that many of us choose to make.

I love these words from Hymn 116.

“Come, follow me,” the Savior said.

Then let us in his footsteps tread,

For thus alone can we be one

With God’s own loved, begotten Son.

I am so grateful for the two missionaries who introduced the restored Gospel to my parents in 1961, and for the inspired choice they made to follow the wisest guide of all and in his footsteps tread.

In the chorus of “I Am a Child of God” (Hymn 301) we find the words “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way.”

It is through our daily prayers, that I know He will guide us, lead us, and walk beside us.

Are you searching for a wise guide in your life?

If so, may I respectively suggest that you consider listening to a powerful message that our missionaries have to share about the wisest guide of all.

How can a 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 help you find your way?

A Heroes Journey

September 13, 2022

Have any of these people touched your heart recently?

Harry Potter, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Ironman, Wolverine, Black Panther, Hulk, Cinderella, Bambi, Snow White, Luke Skywalker, Simba (Lion King), Maverick, all of the X-Men, Kung Fu Panda, Aladdin, Tarzan, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Ariel (Little Mermaid), Bilbo Baggins, Wall-E and many more….

What do they all have in common?

You may be surprised to learn that every character listed is an orphan or a semi-orphan (separated from at least one parent).

The Orphan Hero is not new in storytelling.

Is it a coincidence?

So, what is the purpose of creating such characters?

May it somehow represent a journey that all of us need to go through?

There are usually different parts to a typical storyline.

The Storyline

Firstly, there is usually some kind of awakening story shaped by adversity of some kind.

Secondly, as the hero’s journey commences, there is a provocation of sorts that stimulates an awakening, frequently with a mentor on hand (usually older).

Thirdly, on their journey, the hero discovers some purpose, or true identity and embraces their own authenticity.

Through triumph and tragedy these movie characters have all played into large chunks of our life’s.

Without their parents, we are drawn into the storyline by the insecurity that is created. Perhaps we even start to imagine how we’d react to such perils in our own life.

Subsequently, the characters are all forced to deal with the challenges of the respective storyline and almost always faced with one or several transformational experiences.

As a coach and mentor, I’ve noticed that there is frequently a guide who plays a special part in the journey.

For example – Gandalf, Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi, Dumbledore, Alfred, Xavier and many more.

Generally, these characters have a central role in the story and oftentimes eventually disappear.

The Hero’s Journey is in fact a formulaic template used successfully for generations.

Although formulaic, this journey is open to all of us.

Consider the adversities and challenges you have overcome in your own life.

What story are you living?

Do you have a mentor or guide?

What makes a real hero for you?

So, you want to be a mentor?

April 2, 2021

“So you want to improve your 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 skills” I asked. “Yes indeed” came the reply.

This week, I have spent a lot of time in 1-1 sessions, helping individual mentors improve their mentoring skills.

Here are my 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝟏𝟎 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 for guidance.

𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 with compassion, empathy and understanding – Deep or Active Listening.
𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, be curious, seek clarity, probe, ask why and help each mentee to ask questions of themselves.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 – move their learning from their comfort zone to their stretch zone.
Give of your 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞, frequently, consistently, intimately, 1-1
Be fully 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭. When you meet, create a psychologically safe space, and ensure there are no distractions.
Storytelling. Share your experiences that helped you succeed. Bring your stories to life.
Make a 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧, set objectives and begin with the end in mind.
Provide 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 & 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 to your mentee to push through difficult challenges. Be a trusted sounding board.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 – make suggestions, offer different perspectives to help a mentee become unstuck through self-reflection.
Give 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 from time to time, to avoid potential pitfalls.