Mentoring
I used to think that I’d grow up one day and be an adult that other people would look up to. I’m 35 now (I think; I’m not really sure since I stopped counting at 29) and I admit that I will probably never “grow up”*. However, I think that Diana Kimball is right when she says, “Every major step forward in my life so far has been inspired and encouraged by the mentors I’ve been fortunate enough to have. I believe that hopes, dreams, and advice are best shared in ongoing, personal relationships, and it’s important to me to make myself available as a mentor to others.”
What do I do that other people could look up to and, maybe, learn from me?
I don’t claim to be an expert in any of these things as I’m still learning, myself. But I’d be happy to share my lessons and tribulations in any of my varied interests:
- getting things done, practically speaking (I was a project manager before I ever even knew that job title existed. I like to solve problems by finding the best resources suited to working on that problem and I like deadlines.)
- traveling alone around the world as a woman and on a budget
- riding a motorcycle as a small person (I’m 5’1″)
- working theater tech
- playing taiko drums
- living in Los Angeles
As part of the distributed mentoring movement, I’m creating a mentoring page for whoever would like to get in touch with me about building a mentoring relationship – with me as mentor, or with me as mentee, if you have something you think I should learn. Either way, send me an email at xgabucan [at] yahoo.com and I will respond to you within two weeks.
1/ Tell me about yourself. How did you become who you are, and who do you want to become?
2/ What do you hope to gain from our mentoring relationship?
3/ What’s the best thing you’ve read, watched, or listened to lately?
I would welcome your email and will respond to you within two weeks. I may propose further correspondence or, in some cases, an ongoing mentoring relationship.
* I mean, I function well in the adult world – I have pets (no kids), I’ve held very respectable jobs in an upwardly career (tech writer, system engineer, project manager, program manager), I’ve always made time to follow my passions inside and outside of what pays me (traveling for work, being a theater lighting designer in spare time, riding motorcycles, playing drums), I have good relationships with my family, I hang out with friends regularly, and I make the time to stay reasonably cultured – but I just don’t feel like I’ve grown up yet.