Mentoring isn’t just advice – it’s the shortcut to sustainable success
Preserving the humanity in a chaotic world. How we Live, Lead and Love
Did you now that one of the world best coaches are coming to Norway? In the ICF Conference on the 8. of may! This conference is now a collab with all the serious coaching organizations in Norway.
CFDr. Marcia Reynolds is one of the world’s 5. best coaches in the world and she is the main speaker.
This isn’t just a story about a career shift — it’s a powerful testimony to what happens when you dare to listen to your inner voice, take full ownership of your life, and carve out your own path.
Pia studied at the French fashion school Esmod and launched her own studio — POLYESTER — before she had any real experience in the industry. As she puts it: “What could possibly go wrong?” The answer: everything. But that was also the start of a crucial journey.
Eventually, she found herself in the fast fashion machine, where the pace and pressure to produce stood in stark contrast to her values. One thing especially gnawed at her: copying others’ creative work, and the widespread greenwashing she saw in the industry. As her awareness grew, so did her need to break free.
Pia had climbed to the top as Head of Design, but meaning was missing. She jumped — without a backup plan.
After a period of deep reflection, further studies in sustainability, and hands-on work in textile sorting with Fretex, she found herself returning to a place where she could truly make a difference: the classroom.
Today, Pia teaches at Esmod — the very school where her journey began. She mentors final-year students, helping them not only with design skills, but also to find their voice, their inner drive, their creative soul.
“It’s not about shouting the loudest or being the weirdest. It’s about finding your own engine — when you do, you always know the answers, and you’ll always be able to shift gears when things get tough.”
She also teaches sustainability — not as a trend, but as a baseline for the future of fashion.
Pia hasn’t stopped creating. She recently launched Confashion.no — a curated marketplace for Norwegian designers working with redesign and sustainable fashion. The goal? To make conscious fashion both visible and profitable.
“It’s not enough to have a great product without great distribution. Confashion is the missing link.”
She challenges an industry that produces over 100 billion garments annually — enough to give every person on Earth 12 new items a year.
“We could clothe the entire global population for the next 50 years without producing a single new item — if we just took better care of what we already have.”
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation is about ownership — the honest, raw kind of ownership we all need to take.
“I am my only problem — and I am also the only solution.”
When you take radical responsibility, you stop blaming your boss, your upbringing, or society. You start building. But Pia is also honest about what that process feels like — and how important support is along the way.
“I’ve had coaches and mentors who gave me brutally honest feedback. And sometimes, when I didn’t believe in myself, I borrowed their belief in me. That’s one of the greatest gifts a mentor can offer.”
A truth that hits deep for anyone working in growth, coaching or education.
We asked Pia what advice she’d give to someone feeling stuck:
“Follow the joy. That’s where your direction is.”
She speaks about slowing down to reconnect with yourself, using journaling and meditation as tools to hear your inner guidance. Then? Set a goal. A big one. One you don’t know how to reach — yet. Because just starting the journey will get you moving again.
If Pia could tell her younger self one thing?
“You don’t have to be perfect. Be Pia — that’s interesting and unique. Authenticity is the most attractive and meaningful thing there is!”
So happy to be part of the exciting development in the coaching industry, the leading organizations in the industry are collaborating to make the industry even better. And we will start with a real bang, a joint day conference on May 8th in Oslo at the Research Park.
The theme of the conference is: "Bridging the Gap: Preserving Humanity in a Chaotic World"
We have collaborated on a coaching standard in Norway and from there we have experienced how much we can learn from each other - and how much stronger we become when we share knowledge, inspiration and insight across the diversity of the different coaching directions.
#thetalkbymentorguru #Mentorguru #emccnorge #icfnorge #gestaltcoaching #learncoaching #dncf #coaching #mentoring #norge
Finding the perfect balance between personal and professional growth is a topic that everyone seems to be obsessed with. The internet is full of advice on how to achieve «work-life balance» like it’s some magical formula that, once discovered, will solve all your problems.
But here’s the real question: Is balance really the goal? Or is it just an illusion that’s holding you back?
In this blog post, we’re going to break down:
Let’s be honest: Life is not about achieving perfect balance. It’s about making constant adjustments to stay on course. Think of a tightrope walker – they’re never in perfect balance, but they keep moving forward by continuously readjusting.
🔹 According to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, people who dive deep into focused work are far more productive and satisfied than those who try to balance everything evenly.
🔹 Research from Harvard Business Review reveals that the most satisfied individuals are not the ones with perfect balance, but those who have clear priorities and live in alignment with them.
🔹 The Flow Theory by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi shows that we’re happiest when we’re fully engaged in a meaningful task – not when we’re trying to do everything at once.
Balance might actually be stopping you from achieving real growth. Instead of constantly chasing an elusive equilibrium, it’s more productive to focus on intensity and prioritization.
If balance is a myth, then what’s the alternative? The answer is strategic growth. Here are some proven strategies:
Growth Stacking is about combining different growth activities simultaneously. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing things smarter.
Examples:
Why it works: It saves time, increases efficiency, and accelerates progress by stacking multiple areas of growth together.
If you don’t set boundaries, you’ll end up trying to be everything to everyone. Create clear rules for when you’re “on” and when you’re “off.”
Examples:
Forget about balancing everything perfectly. Instead, focus intensely for short bursts. The Sprint Model encourages you to work in 12-week cycles with clearly defined goals.
Why it works: It creates urgency, boosts productivity, and helps you avoid burnout by alternating periods of hard work with intentional rest.
You can’t build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation. Holistic health isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a solid base for sustainable growth.
Key Areas to Focus On:
If you want to grow in multiple areas, you need to own your time. Here’s how:
Balance is a nice idea, but it’s not what drives growth. Instead of striving for an unrealistic ideal, focus on intensity, priority, and strategic growth. When you stop trying to make everything even, you start making real progress.
So, here’s my challenge for you: What will you prioritize today? And how will you combine your personal and professional growth to get there?
Leave a comment below or share your thoughts on social media. I’d love to hear how you’re tackling this challenge!
We all have that voice in our head. You know the one. The voice that whispers:
But here’s the thing: That voice is lying. And the worst part? We believe it. We allow it to dictate our actions, our decisions, and ultimately, our potential.
Negative self-talk is the constant, often subconscious, stream of thoughts that undermines your confidence and abilities. It’s that automatic reaction that tells you «you can’t» before you’ve even tried.
Limiting beliefs, on the other hand, are the mental barriers we create based on fear, doubt, or past experiences. Statements like:
These thoughts are not based on facts. They are assumptions built on fear and insecurity.
Research from the National Science Foundation reveals that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. This means that if you were tearing yourself down yesterday, chances are you’re doing the exact same thing today.
Our brains are wired for negativity as a survival mechanism. Negative thoughts stick to us like Velcro, while positive ones slide off like Teflon. It’s called Negativity Bias. But survival mode is not where growth happens.
Your inner dialogue shapes your reality. If you constantly tell yourself that you can’t do something, your brain will find ways to prove you right. It influences how you approach challenges, how you react to setbacks, and how much effort you put into achieving your goals.
The worst part? We often don’t even realize we’re doing it.
It’s time to change the conversation happening inside your head. Here are three powerful steps you can take:
If you’re mentoring or coaching others, understanding their negative self-talk is crucial. Listen carefully to the language your mentee uses. Ask powerful questions like:
You are not there to provide answers but to help them uncover their own truth and power.
The voice in your head doesn’t have to be your enemy. It can be your greatest ally if you take control of the narrative.
Listen to my latest podcast episode: «The Inner Voice Is Lying – Here’s How to Take Control» where I break down this topic and give you practical tools to shift your mindset for good.
What’s one negative thought you’ve been holding on to? How will you challenge it today?
In this episode of our podcast, we are delighted to have a conversation with Jennybeth Ekeland, an expert with over 25 years in the field of mentoring. Jennybeth shares the wealth of her knowledge and experience, providing insights into how effective mentoring works both theoretically and practically.
We delve into what a «learning alliance» is and why it is the cornerstone of a successful mentoring relationship. Jennybeth walks us through examples from her own experiences, including the biggest challenges she has faced and how she has overcome them.
Throughout our conversation, listeners will gain insights into how to measure the success of a mentoring program and what elements are critical for its success. Jennybeth also shares her vision for the future of mentoring, particularly in relation to technological advances and digitalization.
This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in personal and professional development through mentoring, offering valuable advice and insights that can be implemented in both personal careers and within organizational frameworks.
Disse postene og bloggposten er designet for å maksimere engasjementet på sosiale medier og drive trafikk til din podkast, samtidig som de gir verdifull innsikt i mentoringens kraft og potensial.
In the latest episode of «The Talk by Mentorguru», I had the pleasure of interviewing Per-Egill Frostmann, one of Norway’s most experienced advisors in leadership and organizational development. With over 30 years of experience as an executive coach, mentor, and consultant, Per-Egill has worked with leading organizations in Norway and internationally.
Tune in to gain all these insights and more! You can find us on your favorite podcast platform.
What do you think are the biggest leadership challenges of the future? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss!
In a world where stress and anxiety are on the rise, many are seeking effective methods to manage psychological challenges. One such method that is gaining ground for its remarkable results is Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). This blog post will explore how EFT, often referred to as «tapping» or mental acupuncture, works and its impact on mental health.
EFT is a psychological acupressure technique, often referred to as tapping. It combines elements from acupuncture, neurolinguistic programming, energy medicine, and thought field therapy. The method involves tapping lightly on specific meridian points on the body while focusing on a particular emotional stressor or psychological issue.
The core principle behind EFT is that all negative emotions are due to disturbances in the body’s energy system. By tapping on selected points while thinking about and verbalizing the specific issue, it is claimed that one can restore balance in the energy system, thereby reducing or eliminating the negative symptom.
EFT has proven particularly effective in addressing a range of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias. What makes EFT appealing is its ability to quickly reduce the emotional impact of memories and incidents that trigger psychological discomfort. This can often be achieved in just a few minutes, and the results are sometimes permanent.
Several studies have supported the effectiveness of EFT. Research indicates that tapping can reduce the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increase the production of serotonin, a well-being hormone, contributing to a sense of calm. Furthermore, clinical trials have shown that EFT can be as effective as traditional therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, in treating certain psychological conditions.
The most powerful affirmations of EFT’s effectiveness often come from personal stories and testimonials. Many people from around the world have shared their experiences on how EFT has helped them overcome serious psychological issues and led to significant life improvements. These stories not only underline the method’s potential but also provide hope to those who are still struggling.
In the quest for better mental health, it is important to keep an open mind about alternative treatments like EFT. While it is not a «one-size-fits-all» solution, EFT has proven to be a valuable method for many seeking peace and emotional freedom. By integrating traditional and modern therapeutic techniques, we can open the doors to new, effective ways to heal. As we continue to explore and understand the influence of energy-based therapies, we can potentially revolutionize the way we treat psychological disorders, offering pathways to peace for those in need.
In this blog post, we have looked at how EFT works, its scientific basis, and personal success stories. It becomes clear that while more research is needed to fully understand and verify EFT’s effectiveness, it offers a promising alternative for those seeking relief and healing in their mental health struggles.
If you talk or understand Norwegian, you can listen to my podcast about the topic.
Change is everywhere. It’s inevitable in both work and life. But why do we resist something that is so natural? Our brain loves comfort – it’s an expert at exaggerating threats and convincing us to stay put. But what if we could learn to embrace change?
Why Do We Resist Change?
It’s not because we’re lazy. It’s because of uncertainty. Our reptilian brain is hardwired to keep us safe, not happy. Change feels like a threat, even when it’s an opportunity to grow.
How to Approach Change with Curiosity:
Conclusion:
Change doesn’t have to be scary. It can be innovative, inspiring, and even fun. Take a small step outside your comfort zone today – you never know what might happen!
In today’s digital age, the field of coaching has transcended traditional boundaries, moving from face-to-face interactions to dynamic online environments. At Nomad Coaching, we’ve embraced this shift, and in our latest podcast episode titled «Success in Online Coaching,» we explore the ins and outs of making this transition not just workable, but successful. This blog post delves deeper into the themes discussed in the episode, offering insights and practical advice for aspiring and established online coaches alike.
1. Embracing Technology: The first step to successful online coaching is embracing the technology that makes it possible. From selecting the right platforms for video calls to utilizing tools for scheduling and client management, technology is the backbone of digital coaching. However, it’s not just about using these tools, but mastering them to enhance interaction and ensure a seamless coaching experience.
2. Clear Communication: Effective communication is critical, especially when physical cues are absent. Online coaches need to hone their verbal and written communication skills to ensure clarity and understanding. Setting clear expectations and regular check-ins can help maintain open lines of communication and keep both coach and client aligned with the goals.
3. Building Trust Online: Perhaps the biggest challenge in online coaching is building and maintaining trust without face-to-face interactions. Successful online coaches are adept at creating a sense of presence and reliability that reassures clients. This involves being consistent, punctual, and responsive, and providing a secure and confidential environment for clients to share openly.
4. Customizing Coaching Methods: Online coaching should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. Tailoring your coaching methods to fit the individual needs of each client is essential. This might mean adjusting your techniques based on the client’s personality, preferences, and the specific obstacles they face in their personal or professional lives.
As we navigate the complexities of online coaching, the opportunity to reach a global audience and make a significant impact in their lives grows. By mastering technology, enhancing communication skills, building trust, and customizing our approach, we can achieve great success in this new coaching frontier.
Call to Action: Interested in learning more about how you can succeed in online coaching? Tune in to our latest podcast episode «Success in Online Coaching» for expert insights and real-life success stories. Discover how you can expand your coaching practice and reach your full potential in the digital age!