Grateful for Mentors and Unconventional Teachers
Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. —Alice Walker
“….But I really want to find those products for Q4.” I said, my frustration apparent.
“I don’t think you should focus on capitalising on Q4 let’s rather focus on getting you the right suppliers and the right and profitable products in the next months because there will be more Q4s. If we don’t have a strong foundation yet we can’t actually compete in Q4.” Came the answer from my business coach and I could see wisdom in his words.
Having recently started my e-comm business and had some great wins, I had suddenly hit a wall where I wasn’t able to source all products from my trusted supplier and those I was able to were growing very competitive. As we are nearing the holiday season my goal has been to get in a variety of products in stock to capitalise on the season but I have been struggling to find these products at profitable prices and I felt the winds had been knocked out of my sails.
Feeling deflated I reached out to my mentor and asked for a strategy session. We sat down and I explained the details of my situation, he then reassured me my challenges with specific suppliers were well known and that we ought to pivot and rethink our current strategy. We then came up with some ideas together, a plan of execution and an agreement of more regular accountability sessions to keep my momentum. He ended the session saying - “this is not supposed to be so hard because we are doing it so I know it is attainable but sometimes we need to take a set back and reassess the current strategy and this is what we have done. You reaching out is the first step towards breaking through in your business.”
That alone was so reassuring that after the call rather than packing up and finishing for the day, I went straight ahead to tackle the first task I had on my new strategy plan and I kept on going till I was almost a half way through when I decided to retire for the night. I went to bed feeling more in control and reassured that things are working out just right.
As I reflected on this, I came to think about the opportunity we have to seek help from people who have walked paths that we are trying to walk on now. Sometimes when we are on a journey or working on something and facing challenges we get frustrated but those who stick to their course and then discover a resolution acquire some mastery that others who give up too early won’t. This was the case for my coach. When I explained my situation to him, he knew exactly what I was talking about so he didn’t seem surprised, he too had been through something similar and so was able to share with me his strategy to overcome this challenge.
I know how valuable that time spent with my coach was and how it helped steer me in the right direction again, I also know how I have on many occasions sought the help of far away mentors through their books and works and how all these have had an immense impact on my life so far. So, as I laid in bed counting my blessings for the day, I could not help but be utterly grateful for my coach and other mentors or unconventional teachers, who in their own way are impacting the lives of people they encounter, be it in person or through their works. Yes, I am so very grateful because now I have clarity on a path that was daunting and so as we enter the weekend I would like to encourage you to reach out to someone or say a silent prayer for someone who’s helped you (taught you something) in one way or the other for whatever knowledge they shared made a difference in your life.
Affirmation: I am grateful for all the encounters in my life that leave me with experiences richer.