Episode #13: Q&A: Tribe Of Mentors

After Laura read Tim Ferriss’ (https://tim.blog/) book, Tribe of Mentors (https://tribeofmentors.com/), we thought a fun way to share about this collection of questions and answers similar to how each mentor responds to in the book. Enjoy!
After Laura read Tim Ferriss’ (https://tim.blog/) book, Tribe of Mentors (https://tribeofmentors.com/), we thought a fun way to share about this collection of questions and answers similar to how each mentor responds to in the book. Enjoy!

  1. What is the book (or books) you’ve given as a gift, and why?  Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?
Patrice:Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg https://leanin.org/book 
Radical Candor by Kim Scott https://www.radicalcandor.com/ 
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown 

Laura:  Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss    

1. What purchase of $100 of less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)? Give specifics-like brand, model, where you found it, etc. 

Laura: Headspace (app) for mindfulness & meditation https://www.headspace.com/ $96/year
Patrice: Bullet Journal http://bulletjournal.com/  + markers $25-30 

2. What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

Patrice: Make sure you put the maximum amount you can from your paycheck and your employer’s contribution will match that. Once you take that out, you won’t even know it will just be accruing for our retirement pension. 

Laura: Ignore advice from those who think they are an expert. Always be learning. Regardless of your industry/field/occupation or direction of life, continue to learn something. If it’s not at work, try to learn something new on the side to encourage a growth mindset.

3. In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)? What new realizations and/or approaches helped? Any other tips?

Laura: Distraction. I’ve been better at tuning out and turning off notifications. I don’t check messages, texts, emails, or any social apps before 11 am or 12 noon on days I’m scheduled to do some deep work. This means turning off push notifications and even removing apps from my mobile devices. I compartmentalize my working spaces physically and virtually to remove the distraction and to focus on things at work. Decide when and how you will receive interruptions before they decide for you. 

Patrice: Saying “no” to extra assignments, committees, and opportunities if they don’t align with my own personal goals. Does this ask align with your “north start” or career/life path -- then maybe it is okay to pass on this opportunity. She some goals based on the suggestions offered from the You’ve Got This podcast host  @Katie__Linder Q&A episode #69: Are Your Goals Aligned with Your Vision? https://ygtpodcast.com/qa69/ 

4. If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it - metaphorically speaking to get a message out to millions or billions - what would it say and why? It could an expression, a quote or saying.

Patrice: “Don’t Look Back.” Keep moving forward is not easy to do, but we can fail forward. 

Laura: A quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Rely on those around you for support and make the change you want to see in the world.

What questions would you ask a mentor? What questions do you ask your mentor? Let us 
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