When Others Make You Believe in Yourself

I had the pleasure of meeting a very accomplished professional recently. We talked a little and I'm sure he wouldn't have remembered me, had I not e-mailed asking him to mentor me in a very specific area of my professional development. So, I have my first official mentor and he is awesome. He stays on top of what we agree and follows up. He also expects a lot from me, which in turn causes me to push myself - so far, so good.

Before I formally approached him and asked him to mentor me, I had a serious bout of self-doubt. I thought he might think it a waste of his time - because I am on a detour from the professional qualification route. I thought he might already have mentees. I spoke to certain members of my family about how he inspired me when we met. My family encouraged me to go for it. This experience reminds me of the many times I did something because of my family and in spite of myself. This is that appreciation post. I love them. Much.

Even when I don't believe in myself, even when I am down and broken, my family continue to have unwavering faith in me.