Theresa and I sharing a hug (and a drink) after I won the Tarot Apprentice
Business books used to bore me. That whole idea of entrepreneurship made me either roll my eyes or yawn.
And then I became Theresa Reed’s tarot apprentice. And all that began to change.
If you had said to me, “A year from now you’ll have a tarot website, hire a professional photographer for your business photos, and attend a few tarot conferences where they now know your name” I would have called you certifiably insane. Start drawing up those involuntary commitment papers right now!
But now tarot and this website is my life, and every experience is fodder for my blog.
A month ago, my year-long mentorship with Theresa ended. We wrapped it up in the way we started: Clinking glasses of wine at the end of Readers Studio. Let me say, it was bittersweet. On the one hand I thought, “I don’t have to do homework every two weeks!” On the other, I realized that the only person pushing me forward in the future would be me and me alone.
If you are someone like me that’s prone to procrastination and treading water in your comfort zone… you may want to think about finding a mentor.
What can a mentor do for you?
I used to be a “learn from books” gal. Though I do have a practical nature, I’m a lot more book-smart than I am street-smart. But those books can’t and won’t ever push you the way a flesh-and-blood mentor can. What’s more pressing: words on a page, or a voice on the other end of the phone line saying she’s going to go all Joan Crawford on your ass if you start slacking off? Yes, you said it, the latter.
I like to compare it to having a personal trainer vs. using an exercise video to work out at home. Can that celluloid image reach through the screen and MAKE you do that last rep of exercises that your brain is convinced you can’t do but your body really can? Nope. But if your personal trainer has demanded 10 more push-ups, and he’s standing over you, and the class can’t leave until you do those 10 push-ups… well, which example is the more compelling one?
What did I learn?
The very first lesson I learned with Theresa was the one that I remember the most. It’s simple. It’s to the point. And it’s one that I continue to learn. What is it?
Treat your business like a business, not a hobby.
Wait for it to settle in. Trust me, you haven’t absorbed this lesson yet. Reading these words doesn’t make you learn it. Not even living it for a year has made me manage to fully absorb it. It’s that simple. And that complicated.
Another big one that scared the procrastinator in me:
Start before you’re ready.
A variation on this is “fake it until you make it” but without the faking. It’s mostly taking the leap and not knowing where you’ll land… but you’ll damn sure figure it out on the way.
What goals did I complete under Theresa’s mentorship?
- A real website with ability to purchase a reading online (and hey, you’re looking at it, kid!) and successfully launch it
- Raise my rates
- A blog post every week
- A newsletter every month
- Professional photos
- Elevator pitch (I hate elevator pitches, but hey, they are GREAT training for segueing “What do you do?” into a life-long client.)
- Evaluate other websites for strengths/weaknesses as research in creating my website
- Create a marketing/editorial content calendar
- Create an opt-in freebie for my newsletter subscribers
- Make a vision board
… and I’m sure more that I haven’t listed that are part of the internal life-shift process. Some of these goals I’ve had for years. Some of them I didn’t know I should have them as goals. Some of them just absolutely terrified me, such as the biggie one of creating the website that you now see before you. But trust me on this, when you break things down into manageable pieces, even the most overwhelming tasks can be tamed.
If you look above in the Goals Accomplished list, there is not a single item on the list that is specifically tarot, which leads me to believe that my tarot reading skills were very solid in the first place (that was a pleasant surprise for me). Theresa and I really didn’t talk about the nitty-gritty of reading the cards during the mentorship… what we DID discuss was how I needed to get over my fears of not being good enough, because she told me time and time again that I was an excellent reader… and still am … and will continue to be!
Where the hell do I go from here?
Onwards and upwards, my friends! I continue to grow… I have a year left in my 2-year-long Hekademia course, and as if my schedule wasn’t filling up fast, I also signed up for the fantastic Marie Forleo’s B-School (because I still enjoy a good ass-kicking). If you’re not finding me at the local coffee shop reading for clients, you’ll see me on a park bench with my nose buried in a business or tarot book. Or my nose buried in my laptop… or my nose buried in a new tarot deck.. or… well, you get the idea!
Recommended Reading
The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield
Do the Work by Stephen Pressfield
The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle Laporte
Make Every Man Want You by Marie Forleo
Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design by Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl
Apprentice No More (sniff, sniff),
~*~Hilary~*~
www.tarotbyhilary.com
Master and Apprentice, with a Mike Hernandez in the middle
For more information about the mentoring services Theresa offers, visit her site and select “Mentoring Policies and Suggestions” from “The Business of Tarot” dropdown menu.
To book a tarot reading with me, visit the Buy a Reading page.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends using the handy-dandy buttons below.
So proud of you, Hilary! The mentor is only as good as the student – and you were an absolute treasure!
I’ll be keeping an eye on you for the future….and I know that your future is bright.
XXOO
Theresa
Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady recently posted…Drive By Tarot Readings
Congratulations on a successful year, Hilary! You have done amazing things and it has been a blast watching you grow. It will be fun continue to watch your business expansion! You were in such capable hands with Theresa. She has a clear business vision and loves to share her success.
Keep up the great work!
How lovely to see this post a year on! It’s great to hear how well you’ve done and see a dream turned, through focused effort, into a reality.
Long may you continue to flourish! 🙂
Hilary, I just came across your site, but I am grinning! SO thrilled for you… that is such a big lesson – we MUST treat our business like a business, YES!
I echo everyone else’s congratulations! WOOT!
xoxo.n
Nona Jordan | the Business Yogini recently posted…Playing with Money Energy
Wow what a journey you have had! I’ve only just “met” you but I want to really congratulate you on being so awesome and chasing your dreams! Having a mentor or a coach is such a powerful experience. It’s clear you are soaring now, especially with also going through the B-school. Look out world, here you come!
Thanks for the inspiring post. I hope to join you up there soaring away! 🙂
Rebecca Macfarlane recently posted…Phases of Change – Phase 2: Realization
This is such a rich blogpost! I am going to share it on the Women & Spirit in Business facebook group that I facilitate because we have three regional (western Mass) monthly in person meetings and so much of what you share is what we discuss. The accomplishments you list are motivating. So many of us are exactly in this space. The key, as you know, is to seek mentorship AND give mentorship as we continue to grow and take note of our achievements!
Karen Ribeiro recently posted…Slow Living
Ooh, how divine…to have a mentor! Mentors are the best. I resonated very much with what you wrote above. I also adore the Tarot Lady…how cool is that, that you were able to work with her? Hooray! 🙂 The personal growth and business growth seem to go hand and hand…thanks for sharing.
Lisa recently posted…Hello World, I’m Your Wild Girl!
Thanks for this. I especially love your sharing of goals. Makes me want to go back and review mine…but mostly count my successes. I too love my mentors…..way – showers….gurus! They come in many different shapes and sizes and sometimes appear on the street as PERFECT strangers. Thanks so much!
Patty Tanji recently posted…Reclaim Your Money Genius
Dear Hilary, Congratulations! Going from a hobby-preneur to an actual solopreneur is a HUGE accomplishment. Having been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, and having helped many friends and clients launch their own businesses, I can tell you that it’s an incredibly hard process to get that new mindset installed without help.
As a psychic, I know how hard it is to get yourself out there and marketed without coming off like some crackpot. So kudos to you for that as well. Your blog is charming! Keep up the good work!
Kelle Sparta – Thought Alchemist recently posted…I Can’t Be Summed Up In A Tag Line!
What a fine tribute to your work with Therese and your own ability to own your gifts and make this happen! Woo-hoo!
I agree -a mentor or coach is ever so valuable if you really want to take giant leaps forward.
I love to watch my coaching clients own their power as they grow and expand into their greatness. One of my clients told me that i was his secret weapon for success! Awesome!!
Keep on Rocking it!
Leah Shapiro recently posted…The Realization that Changed Everything
Congratulations on coming so far in just a short year. It seems you are on Fire!
Marita Rahlenbeck recently posted…That Was Like Sex
Congratulations on completing your mentorship!! It sounds like you learned a whole hell of a lot – and I agree with a lot of your advice/commentary! The “don’t treat your business like a hobby” piece is absolutely key and everyone I know has to learn it over and over and over again. Good luck in your future endeavors! (Not that it sounds like you need it 😉 )
Michelle recently posted…What dating & delegating have in common
Hilary, congrats on finishing your apprenticeship, continuing to learn — and also on knowing your potential pitfalls. I love “start before you’re ready.” This SO describes me, and I full-on believe in Danielle LaPorte’s mantra: “You’ll figure it out.” This phrasing is worlds better than “fake it ’til you make it,” because there’s nothing fake about it. xoxo
Thank you to all of you for such rich and wonderful comments… it means the world to me to be surrounded by people that support others with their dreams!
Feel free to share it with others in the midst of achieving their goals!
Hi Hillary! Actually, there are a lot of people who can be inspired with this post you have for us.. Congrats and be happy always.. Keep it up!
Meygann recently posted…Sharepoint Hosting
Well done! You certainly are on your way! This is a fantastic post. Thank you for sharing it.
Chanah recently posted…A journey has begun
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