Yoga Enterprise

5 ways a mentor benefits your personal and professional life

Could working with a mentor help women reach new heights?

In 2019, Alison Rose’s review of women entrepreneurship found that targeted professional assistance to women could raise up to £ 250 billion in the UK economy.

A recent survey by Yoga Alliance Professionals, the leading professional association for yoga teachers, found that 88% of yoga teachers were interested in working with a mentor. And it’s easy to see why – 70% of people who have worked with a mentor reported improved relationships, better job performance and communication skills, while 80% reported increased self-confidence due to their mentoring relationship.

Pip Taverner, a leading yoga teacher and business mentor, explains why mentoring is so valuable:

When you think of mentoring, you might envision the benefit of having an office manager in the workplace focused on sales goals. The reality is far from it, mentoring can be transformative not only for your company but also for yourself. It is as if you have a friend or colleague who you really admire, who has followed the path in your profession, who supports you with words and deeds and who brings you out of the feeling of being overwhelmed or stuck.

Once you’ve started your own business, regardless of size, revenue, or duration, you can benefit tremendously from a mentor.

As a yoga teacher mentor, I’ve seen and done it when it comes to building a yoga business. I know the industry inside and out, from yoga retreats in exotic locations to executive trainings, opening a yoga studio, scaling up to 15,000 pound months, the ups and downs, the emotional ups and downs too. And I honestly share this experience.

Supporting others feels so heartfelt that I am passionate about my mentees’ success, but I also want them to feel empowered and not alone. Being a sole proprietorship can be tough, and when your business is an extension of yourself it can feel very personal when things aren’t going smoothly.

Pip Taverner

Here are five ways a mentor can improve your personal and professional life to make you feel empowered.

1. Gain clarity

When you are a new business or solo preneur, it is important to be clear about your bigger picture – it is what you would like to create or achieve when time and money were not a concern. Often times we don’t believe we can achieve these goals or dreams, but really you can. A mentor gives you the confidence and faith to say, “I want this for myself and my business, and I will make it happen”.

2. Get unbiased advice

We can have great mentors in family members, but there is an emotional connection that can sometimes make you feel like you are 12 years old when you seek advice from a relative about your business or even your life. It can also put a strain on a relationship, especially if you don’t feel heard or have other family matters to discuss. I really care about my mentees and can hand out the tough love when necessary for the best results. There is a professional relationship and respect that are a solid foundation for clear and unbiased advice.

3. Create a roadmap

If you didn’t know the route to your destination, would you get into the car and drive without assistance, without a GPS? Of course you could find out on the way, many wrong turns would be inevitable and it would take you much longer. But it’s much better to plan your trip and find the short cuts. Planning leads to a smoother, less stressful trip. A mentor is your navigation system so that you don’t get lost in your company in order to get from A to B. As you walk around the houses you will be guided back on a clear path to save time and money.

4. Defeating Comparative Itus and Imposter Syndrome

Love it or hate it, social media is often essential in building a brand and growing your online community. Late night scrolling and seeing what everyone else in your field is doing can make you feel like you’re not good enough, being a scammer, or comparing yourself. Constantly measuring your success against others can be crippling. A mentor will pull you out of this emotional downward spiral to see how unique you are, that you deserve to be successful, and that we all have our place in the market.

5. See your company as an exciting adventure

One of my favorite testimonials comes from a yoga teacher who said: “Pip’s advice and support made it clear to me that not only was anything possible, but that an exciting adventure was taking place right now”. It’s a thrilling adventure, the options are endless. You must have fun creating, growing, and maintaining not only your business but your life as well. A mentor will give you the support and encouragement to be out there, to dare to do it, and to love every moment of your doing.

Pip Taverner is Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher, Yoga Teacher Trainer and Mentor.

She leads mentoring programs for yoga teachers, healers and room owners. To find out more about Pip, her mentoring and 1: 1 yoga business coaching, visit youryogacareer.com or connect with pip on Instagram @ pipyoga108

Interested in working with a life coach? Connect with a professional via lifecoach-directory.org.uk

Related Articles