Here are two spheres of conversation and action that are very relatable but also very different. If you are like me and the many of us in society then you probably get confused as to what these terms mean and how they apply to us. Even more so, we know less about why they are important to have in our lives and why we should look to involve such figures in our personal and professional development.

Stewardship. 

Simply put, stewardship is adopting responsibility for the world and people around you. One could say stewardship stems from ancient theology that believes humans, in their sophistication and self-consciousness, hold the highest responsibility for caring, organising and controlling this world we live in.

At a more individual and communal level we could think of Stewardship as the practice of teaching and administering help where you see it needed. This means you would feel a need to serve the space you live in. A steward has a type of perspective that sees where the environment needs upkeep. A person that sees people who fall short of the mark, and looks to help those individuals. In a nutshell it’s the practice of caregiving.

This is a mind-set that is nurtured more than it is adopted. Stewardship requires you to care about things outside of yourself and be thoughtful about the kind of world you will leave behind after your time. Be it in the tech industry, climate activism, fashion circles or legislation, stewardship is a practice that gives back to the passion you have for life, for living.

Mentorship. 

A buzz word for all those on the path of self development and growth. To be a mentor is to take on a young, eager beaver keen on getting better in a specific field. Mentors are people we look to for guidance, approach for advice and often have a relationship rooted in constructive rapport.

Mentorship is different from stewardship in that it is a relationship between two individuals whereas stewardship is between you and your world. More often a mentor is sought after by individuals who know they need help. By people who know they are lacking in some way, shape or form and feel the need to acquire a teacher to help them get better. In this process the seeker becomes a mentee.

Many of us will take on the role of mentor or mentee throughout the course of our lives for various practices and professions. We will need wisdom at some point and may be asked for it by others. We will lack knowledge and experiences as we dive into new areas of our lives, and we’ll be asked to enlighten others along the way as well. Your mentor is someone who stimulates growth in you. They want the best for you,  and do their best to help you reach your goals and targets. Where our thinking is boxed they give us a different perspective, where their juniors seem lost in chaos they will step in to set guidelines and boundaries. One of the best things about them is that they are able and usually willing to put-you-on in the industry you are involved in. They can be a direct link to contacts and ultimately a great first step for networking with like-minded people and groups. The best thing about them? They are totally free!

All these things are fun to talk about but they will never mean much if you don’t find ways to incorporate them into your everyday life. With that being said, here are a couple ways you can work towards bringing these sorts of people into your life as well as being these sorts of people for others.

Practising Stewardship

Firstly, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the people and world around you. Being mindful of the things you put into your body, the time and energy you dedicate towards your physical and mental health and making an effort to grow and develop yourself and your life are at the forefront of the journey towards good stewardship. Having a good relationship with yourself is what makes it possible to have a great relationship with the world.

When it comes to the outside world stewardship can seem trickier than it actually is. Most of the time the yardsticks we use to measure our efforts are scaled according to our egos, and so we may have a hard time figuring out if we are doing enough, or even doing them for the right reasons. A lot of the relationship you have with the people and world around you will be impersonal. It’s often centred on giving back just as much, if not more than what you’re taking. This means knowing yourself enough to identify the things important to you. If you care enough for libraries and all that goes on in them then donating a couple books would be a good way to play your part. If you see someone struggling in the gym and know you can give them a pointer or two then you probably should step in and offer that helpful gesture. It’s about bringing up those unable to help themselves and lending a hand where you see it’s needed. Chances are you will be that struggling person at some point in time. We all are. And we all need some help here and there.

Finding a mentor

Is not as hard as people make it out to be. You probably have mentors you’re not even aware of, and are probably a mentor to someone close to you. It’s easy. Find some people you admire. A person or people with skills, strengths and experiences that you know you need for your craft.

Like any relationship the quality will grow over time as you grow to like each other. Chances are it will be a really informal relationship. So try taking them to coffee or offer to meet in a relaxed environment when plotting out your introductory meetings. Anything to make it feel like a breath of fresh air soon as it starts.

Be friendly, but also ambitious. Know what you want, but also have an open mind. Make it known why you’re approaching them from the start and avoid as many grey areas as possible. Mentors, like anyone else, appreciate when everything is upfront and in the clear. This doesn’t mean being rigid, but rather having a fluidity to the progression of the relationship whilst staying keen to learn about all there is to learn.

A lot of the stuff we’ve been talking about is very similar and intertwined. The one can complement the other but overall practising either, or both, could increase the quality of your life and others tenfold. A lot of mentorship and stewardship makes our communities richer, both inside and out. Doing a little bit of these things daily, as you walk your own journey can make you such a valuable member of society.

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