Robin's Mentoring Matters Blog
Encourage and inspire youth to reach their potential
The Importance of Patience and Perseverance in Reaching Your Goals
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same." (anonymous) I love this quote, as it resonates with me and my life journey to date, as I think about all those who have...
‘This is Your Calling and Your Gift.’ Proven strategies to encourage others.
How do you reach out to someone who is struggling? How do you respond to someone who asks for your help? How do you speak messages of hope into the life of someone who feels hopeless? How do you offer a hand up, not a hand out? How do you ever know if your efforts...
Building Meaningful Connections: Strategies to Connect With Others
What happened when you sailed out of the safe harbor of your comfort zone into the stormy seas of life? Much of my life I moved alongside teenagers, or teaching colleagues, or parents, often with messages of encouragement and hope. These interactions taught me much...
Thoughts on Learning to Lead and Becoming a Positive Influencer
Selfless leaders wanted urgently! How positively do you influence those around you? President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The best executive is the one who has the sense enough to pick good men [women] to do what he [she] wants done, and self-restraint to keep from...
My Relationships Matter to Me
How to connect positively with others. Which relationships mean the most to you? Why this choice, or these choices? Did you have any significant relationships with adults, including your parents, during your youth? What made those relationships special? Are you...
Exploring the Connection between Mentoring and Jigsaw Puzzles
When last did you complete a jigsaw puzzle? Or do you prefer Crossword puzzles or Sudoku and those types of mind games? I completed a jigsaw puzzle this morning. It took me about three days, though I was doing it at various times of the day and night, as I don't enjoy...
Life Can Be Like a Cross-Country Run – Be a Positive Coach
"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." (Epictetus) "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the...
Developing More Resilient Teenagers in a Fast-Paced World: Tips and Strategies
What can you remember about your childhood? What were the fun activities you were involved in? How did you keep yourself occupied? Who were your friends? Any special friends? What made these friendships so special? I remember we climbed trees, created our own games...
One Day They Will Thank You for Not Quitting on Them
How many times have you been in a formal or informal mentoring relationship with a younger person and wanted to give up on them? Have you actually walked away from a mentoring relationship, as you felt you had given your all? It would be a very normal and human thing...
How a Selfless Magpie Changed a Life – True Stories
Have you ever wondered how diverse the spirit of mentoring is? Have you thought about how powerful mentoring is during a post-pandemic season? These are questions I have been thinking about a lot as a result of two experiences: watching a movie and looking at a...