Now that the main ship has sailed in 2012 - apart from the few who still have IMUK, IMW and Henly to contend with - it seems right that attention turns to 2013 on the mentoring front for those looking to break their IM duck next year - and there seems to be quite a few gullible newbies out there
For those who are new, mentoring has been taking place for a few years now and it's a way for newbies to pick the brains of the more experienced. Mentors aren't intended to be coaches, although I know some do offer some coaching, but as sounding boards so they can assess what they are doing, pick brains, get support, and generally get the benefit of someone's experience and knowhow.
I've mentored a few to IM finishes and am happy to do so again.
the way it works is that a newbie can PM a mentor to ask if they want to hook up and then take matters from there on a private basis. a mentor can have as many mentees as they wish, but I usually limit this to 2 or 3 on a first come, first serve basis. there is no compulsion, there is no structure - it's up to the individuals concerned as to how they work with each other.
list of mentors:
FB
Comments
Great system, FB. Thanks, on behalf of all us newbies, for organising.
I will most definitely be needing someone to drive to distraction with endless questions.
good call FB
Ohh interesting, anyone up for mentoring someone who just wants to see what she can do? Or is it only for those definitley aiming for the full distance in 2013?
What a wonderful idea, and very generous. Pirates rule!
I'm popping my cherry next year, so would love to have a mentor.
List of Mentors;
FB
RBM
KK
There you go. Now back to work
List of Mentors;
FB
RBM
KK
Happychap
Gyraffe
about to x-post with Waff
I'm happy to mentor too.....but it's not like I know WTF I'm doing.
FB
RBM
KK
Happychap
Gyraffe
IronHolgs
I'd appreciate a mentor - reckon my OH is coming around to the idea, now - having been ground into submission ...
My two pirate mentors have been fabulous. I think it helps to find someone with a similar outlook and values. For my first IM I wanted to have fun, for my second I wanted to push myself. The mentors I chose wanted similar things for themselves so it worked well.
Holgs - you know a damn sight more about what it's like to do a few IM than any of the newbies - that's the key for a mentor. been there, done that sort of thing
FB - When you put it like that. I've now got a mentee, but happy to help anyone else.
I'm happy to mentor, if anyone's interested.
FB
RBM
KK
Happychap
Gyraffe
IronHolgs
CD
To anyone reading this, you can do a lot worse than the people listed above
FB mentored me to my first finish, for which I will always be grateful
I do seem to have aquired one or two mentees from the DIY half that I ran and I am happy to help these people
Thanks to everyone offering to mentor, it's very much appreciated by all of us newbies!
Boss you got mail!
I'm happy to mentor, if anyone's interested.
FB
RBM
KK
Happychap
Gyraffe
IronHolgs
CD
Melds
I am happy to join the list incase someone is desperate
Schmunks I would say that if someone wants a mentor for a HIM or an Oly that they approach the person they think would suit and ask ... this started off as a spot of pyramid selling for IM but no reason that it shouldnt diversify as the Pirates have done
Dont be offended tho if that mentor just wants to mentee an IM
fb mentored me in 2009 and it was down to his help that I emotionally dragged myself over the line for my first IM in Zurich.
So I am more than happy to offer myself up for mentoring. However, a few words of caution:
Nuff said!
FB
RBM
KK
Happychap
Gyraffe
IronHolgs
CD
Melds
Bedders
Since I've been reading and posting on this forum, all the Pirates (and everyone else, for that matter) have been, without exception, friendly, welcoming and encouraging.
However, if you took a huge group of people off the street at random and put them in a room together, with the best will in the world it's unlikely that they would all get along like a house on fire.
I think that if you're going to have a mentor / mentee relationship it would be good to know you were going to 'click' with the other person, which might be tricky if your only knowledge of them was their posts on here.
So I think it probably is a good idea to have some way of matching personalities/attitudes/approaches, but finding the best way to do that, I shall leave to someone more experienced!
Huge thanks again to all those willing to help us newbies.
Lol Bedders!! Dont we all
Nursey ... things work themselves out and I suspect even lurkers will get a feel for a personality online and will have an idea of who they would be able to work with
We have in the past posted a brief resume I think which is no bad idea