The Best Use of Counsel

When thinking of past relationships with counselors, when receiving and giving counsel, one of the things I’ve done that seems to work well is have some structure. Most professionals use a calendar, I can’t think of any that don’t. In fact, every meeting I have is on my calendar. My sessions with counsel or mentors are scheduled also.

“If it’s important, I’ll lose sleep for it” is one of my sayings. Another is, “If it’s important, I’ll put it on my calendar.” I’m living at least twelve and possibly fifteen hours ahead of some of my connections in America. So when we schedule a call or session in the afternoon for them, it’s the middle of the night for me. I happily attend those sessions, with questions at the ready, knowing they will add immense value to my efforts.

Well prepared, thought provoking, and needs based questions are always on my agenda. I only have one relationship when I don’t prepare. I’m usually prepared, but my counterpart isn’t. Not from lack of desire to serve. His inability to properly prepare is one of the many reasons I don’t seek his counsel with regularity. His expertise is without question, but an inability to consistently reciprocate with questions, rescheduling of our sessions, and an “off the cuff” approach to our dialogue has diminished our formal session. Hence, we don’t meet in that capacity any longer.

Lastly, not all who say they will mentor or counsel you will do so to your expectations. They possess what you desire. Your job is a transfer of knowledge, from them to you. If it isn’t working, I’d suggest reading up on interviewing skills, asking productive questions, Socratic questioning techniques, basically, any and every form of interview technique that could enhance and better facilitate the transfer of knowledge.

Today, Friday, July 15, 2022, I am grateful that:

Two landing pages are almost complete. I can see some revisions will need to be made, but the first step is completion. Should I keep making revisions, it’ll never get finished. So I’ll put out what I have, ask great questions of my counselors, then make changes accordingly.

Our mission statement is completed. It hits all three vital areas and it’s concise. I’ll commit it to memory and that’ll basically be my “elevator pitch” for the company.

“Inch by inch, it’s a cinch” has been my subconscious mantra all week. I had a bunch of things to accomplish before Saturday, and now most of them are completed. There’s plenty of work to be done, but with focused, consistent, massive action, all those things plus more will be completed.

What’s your interviewing style?

Are you scheduling your meeting or are they merely happenstance?

Do you value your counselors time as much as or greater than your own?

How frequently do you meet with your mentors?

How long are your meetings?

Be Great. Be Grateful!!!