How does your business mentor challenge you?

I’ve always invested in my own self-development and sought guidance from others, so you probably won’t be surprised to hear I have a business mentor. I’ve been working with Jonathan Wurr of Look Up for many years. We met way back when I worked in engineering and have since become firm friends.

Getting out of my comfort zone

Jonathan’s business mentoring includes looking at all aspects of my life and he’s been instrumental in helping me overcome both business and personal challenges. Earlier this year, we discussed how I could get out of my comfort zone and combine that with having fun. I said I’d like to learn to dance, but beyond that I hadn’t given it very much thought.

If I was hoping I’d be left to make my own investigations about dance classes, I was out of luck! It turns out Jonathan had been having salsa lessons for a while, so he immediately offered to take me along to his classes. Eeek!

Pushing myself to try something new

I’m four weeks into dance lessons now and I’m finding it so difficult. I get very frustrated with myself when I don’t get the hang of the steps immediately, or even halfway through the lesson. I’ll admit I often get the urge to run away, declaring “I’m no good at this – it’s hopeless trying!”. But I know I have to give myself a good talking to and keep going. The lesson goes by so fast, and by the end of the hour I’m incredibly happy if I’ve actually got the hang of the week’s steps (that doesn’t always happen, but I’m proud I’ve kept trying).

During Halloween week, our usual beginners lesson was followed by social dancing, where we were joined by more experienced dancers. We all dressed up for the occasion, which took Jonathan out of his comfort zone – but was right up my street! As you can see from the photo, Jonathan stepped up and got involved in style, as did I!

We had a fabulous night where I had chance to dance with people who really knew what they were doing! That felt quite intimidating to start with, especially when they started spinning me around – ?I had no idea what I should have been doing with my feet! But it was good for me to accept the invitations to dance when I felt very nervous about it, and I had a great time.

Using my experience to mentor others

As well as having Jonathan as my mentor, I’m a mentor myself too. MoonStone FD is all about mentoring clients to create the business they always thought they could have. In addition to running my business, I mentor other accountants through my role as Chair of the MiP (Members in Practice) Committee on the official CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) mentoring scheme. I also mentor colleagues at the non-profit organisation, Better Connect.

I adore mentoring and find it so fulfilling. I encourage my mentees to consider all aspects of their lives, not just their work. We do look at ways to take on challenges outside their comfort zones, knowing that, whilst it might make them nervous and uncomfortable, it’s a huge part of self-development and personal fulfilment. I haven’t invited any of them to dancing lessons though – yet!

What does your business mentor push you to do?

If you’re interested in dancing, I highly recommend Strictly Salsa in York and Wetherby: Strictly Salsa York & Wetherby

To find out more about Jonathan Wurr, visit Look Up Consulting - Coaching and Mentoring, Manufacturing Consultancy and Training and Development

For more about me, how I work and what’s important to me, visit www.moonstonefd.co.uk