One of the most startling themes I have picked up on from social media is the lack of confidence, purpose and self-esteem many feel coming out of the pandemic.
I do a regular morning “walk and talk” on my platform, sharing personal experiences to help others feel motivated and inspired. My basic message for happiness is “believe in yourself and take action every day”.
I get a lot of positive feedback. Some say my messages give them a kick up the backside they need – while others find these chats act as a form of mentoring, helping them with self-development.
With my history in sales, I was fortunate to have been mentored by successful leaders in business and so I truly appreciate the benefits of such guidance.
When you come from a disadvantaged background, as I did, you need role models and people to show you skills that can help you feel confident and ambitious.
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Recently I met two remarkable women who have set up mentoring organisations for increasing equality of opportunities for those coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fran Boorman, who founded Goal 17, says: “Mentoring is not only proven to be the No1 intervention for minority progression, but it also has a profound effect on the mentor. The power of small but meaningful interactions has the ability to shift perspectives. After mentoring we understand each other better and can embrace each other’s differences.”
Goal17.global pairs corporate clients with disadvantaged young people – and both parties benefit.
Mentors often cite the progress of protégés to change things for the better in their own workplace.
Charly Young, meanwhile, launched The Girls Network eight years ago. The charity helps more than 1,000 girls aged 14-19 from least-advantaged communities.
They tackle everything from limited confidence to a lack of access to female role models.
Charly says: “When I was teaching in one of the most deprived areas in London, I witnessed the double disadvantage facing girls. Challenges born from the expectations placed on them to look a certain way, act a certain way, pursue certain types of ‘female’ careers or life choices. They knew no professional women and could see no one like them in the roles or careers to which they might aspire.”
Charly recounts the humbling day, on a trip to London, one girl saw a woman in smart clothes and asked: “Miss, why is she wearing a suit?”
It showed, says Charly, that despite having good grades, many girls had written themselves off before they’d even started – and lacking a female role model was part of the problem.
That’s where charities like The Girls’ Network step in – providing essential support to young people.
Charly found 93% of girls said mentoring lifted their confidence, and 96% felt more positive.
And when it came to the mentors, 90% believed their work had a positive impact on their personal life.
And 100% would recommend mentoring to a friend.
So get motivated or be a motivator. It’s win-win.
