I joined the 2024 Q1 90-day mentoring challenge by Mark Smith.
We are very close to the end of this cohort (28th March 2024). We completed the last Q and A session today.
I am sharing my thoughts in this blog post.
I also joined the program a few years back but for some reason, I didn’t use it properly.
I wanted to make amends this time.
Why did I join this time?
I couldn’t make the best use of the challenge last time.
Maybe I wasn’t ready for it.
I was too busy with other things in my life.
This time though, I am ready.
When the student is ready the teacher appears
Lao Tzu
I am an independent consultant. I wanted to learn how people from other locations work and get things done.
I wanted to learn from Mark. He has extensive experience working with people around the globe and a wealth of knowledge.
Most importantly, I wanted to write online and build a network with like-minded people.
How I made the decision
I am getting emails from Mark and a notification from Dani.
Given that I was on the waiting list, I am getting messages about who joined the program.
Heaps of people joined the program.
I know many people from the community who are writing and making an impact.
They did not know me at that time.
Of course, now they know me 😁
I wasn’t ready as I was waiting for my current work situation to get finalized.
Once that was clear. I decided to join the challenge and learn from everyone part of the challenge.
First few weeks
I am a slow starter like a Test match player. I need time to get in, I’m not a typical T20 person who can hit from the beginning.
Oops, sorry if you didn’t understand, it is a cricket (sports game) analogy.
Everyone is sharing the intro videos and I am getting to know more and more people in the community.
All of them have different careers and experiences.
It is great to connect with everyone on LinkedIn.
Sorry if you are in the current cohort and I didn’t connect. Please connect with me on LinkedIn.
What’s connecting all of us?
#90-day mentoring challenge.
As the content got rolling out, people started doing the exercises.
It’s great to see everyone making progress.
I am late to start the things as I am trying to complete other things.
But, it was great to see everyone around making progress.
You will learn a lot from the program.
What do you learn?
How to communicate with others.
Improve your communication skills. This includes writing and speaking.
The quote on writing with Warren Buffett’s picture inspired me.
You learn consulting skills.
How to use design thinking at work and in conducting workshops.
UI and UX, AI.
My favorite module. Personal Branding.
There are more modules, and the content will be updated.
You can see the curriculum here for more details. Mark explained better than me.
Books
You will get many book recommendations from the program that was read by Mark every year.
Also from the community.
You can progress professionally and personally if you read and apply a few.
My favorite book on the list is Radical Candor by Kim Scott.
What’s more you can learn?
Having direct access to Mark. This is a game-changer for this program.
QA Sessions
This is the best part for me and many others who always look forward to connecting with Mark and everyone else in the cohort.
Listening to questions people ask and learning from others.
Mark also encourages everyone to share their thoughts.
The good thing is, that you get access to all the QA sessions to learn from others.
You might face similar challenges to those others are facing.
These sessions also get recorded, so you can refer to them later.
What I did since joining the 90-day challenge
Starterd writing on LinekdIn.
I started answering questions in Power Platform forums.
I also started learning Power Pages.
Now, currently blogging my thoughts.
I will be doing a speaking engagement next month (April 2024) in the ANZ CoE user group.
What else?
Did a Podcast with Mark (will be releasing soon).
I am planning to do things for the next three months in advance, which is something you will learn as part of the program.
Why You Should Join
There are many reasons why you should join.
- Making Friends across the globe.
- Supporting each other.
- You can ask questions and learn from experts.
- You get inspired by other people.
- It is a safe place to share stories, emotions, and frustrations.
- Actionable content that solves real-world challenges.
- Everyone is happy for others to succeed.
- Honest conversations and no BS.
- Connections that will last forever.
- This is an opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from many people with various work and life experiences.
And so much more.
Final Thoughts
The 90-day mentoring challenge could be a life-changing opportunity.
You collaborate, make connections and friends, and grow with others.
I got so much value from the program and the people who are part of the program.
Thank you, Mark Smith (Linkedin) and Meg Smith (LinkedIn).
Thank you, everyone, for participating in this cohort 2024 Q1. We had some beautiful conversations about business apps, the MVP program, and life.
If you are considering joining, hopefully this post might help you decide.
Leave a comment if you have a question, and I will try to answer it.