The Best Kept Secret Career Hack? Becoming Your Own Mentor (Unlock the power of self-coaching for real career growth.)

Waiting for the right mentor could be the reason you’re not moving forward.
In this episode, I unpack a brutally honest truth: the career advice you're waiting for is already within you.

Whether you're a newcomer trying to break into your field in Canada, a mid-level pro stuck in a “safe” role, or someone exploring your next move — this episode will show you how to become your own most trusted guide.

What you’ll learn:

• Why relying solely on external mentors stalls your progress
• A practical 3-step self-coaching framework (that works!)
• The mindset that helped me reinvent my career in a new country
• How to silence imposter syndrome and shift your narrative
• A daily self-check routine that builds clarity and momentum

🔎 Keywords: career growth, self-coaching, imposter syndrome, career reinvention, how to get unstuck, career clarity, newcomer success

🎧 Listen now. Then start asking better questions — the kind your inner mentor already knows the answers to.

Transcript

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect mentor to show up and tell you what to do next in your career — I’ve got bad news.

The wait is keeping you stuck.

Here’s the twist: the best career mentor you’ll ever have is already within you.

And in today’s episode, I’ll show you exactly how to find them, trust them, and grow your career faster than you think.

Welcome to the Thrive Careers Podcast. I'm your host, Olajumoke Fatoki. I help professionals — especially newcomers, career changers, and ambitious pros — land their dream roles and thrive at work.

And today we’re talking about how to uncover and activate your inner mentor — because in a fast-moving job market, that’s the one guide you can always rely on.

🔹 The Myth of the Perfect Mentor

Yes, mentors can be amazing. I’ve had a few that shaped my path.

But the truth is — the perfect mentor isn’t always available. They’re busy. They have their own timelines and priorities.

If you rely solely on others for career guidance, you risk waiting too long, hesitating too much, and missing out on real opportunities.

Your most reliable mentor is not out there — it’s in here.

Your inner mentor is built from your skills, instincts, and lived experiences.

Once you learn how to access that inner guide, you’ll start making more confident, strategic decisions — faster and with clarity.

🔹 My 3-Step Self-Coaching Framework

Here’s how to start coaching yourself — even without a mentor or coach beside you.

Step 1: Ask “What If?”

Instead of the overwhelming “What should I do?” ask:

• What if I applied for that stretch role?
• What if I pitched that side project?
• What if I reached out to someone I admire?

This shift opens you up to creative thinking and courage, not confusion or fear.

Step 2: Set SMART Goals

You already know SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

But this time, apply it for yourself — intentionally.

Instead of: “I want to network more.”

Say: “I will connect with 3 industry professionals per week for the next 3 months.”

That’s clear. That’s trackable. That gives your inner mentor a path to work with.

Step 3: Create a Simple Action Plan

Break your SMART goal into mini-tasks.
 Assign deadlines.
 Check in weekly — just like an external coach would do with you.

This is how you stay accountable to yourself.

🔹 The Real Obstacle: Your Own Head

Even with the best strategy, the hardest part is mental.

Self-limiting beliefs often sound like facts:

• “I’m not ready for leadership.”
• “I’m not good at public speaking.”

But ask yourself:

Is this actually true — or just a story I’ve repeated so often I now believe it?

Then there’s imposter syndrome — that voice that says, “I don’t belong here.”

Let me tell you: even the best leaders feel it.

So speak to yourself like a trusted friend would:

Instead of: “I’m not as good as they think I am,”
 Say: “I’ve earned my place. And I’m still learning.”

And when setbacks come — because they will — lean on your inner mentor.

Reflect. Reframe. Restart.

That’s how you keep moving.

🔹 My Reinvention Journey

I know this works — because I’ve lived it.

When I moved to Canada, I brought my HR background with me. But I didn’t just want a job. I wanted meaningful work that aligned with my purpose.

So I started asking myself:

“What if I used my HR experience to help others grow their careers?”

That question led me to career coaching.

It didn’t happen overnight. It happened through small steps.
 Step-by-step, I coached myself through uncertainty, doubt, and immigration delays — and that’s what helped me build Thrive Careers Consulting and this podcast.

Your inner mentor is powerful — you just need to learn how to hear them.

🔹 How to Make Self-Coaching a Habit

Here’s a simple routine you can start today:

🕘 Morning:
“What matters most today?” — Write it down.

🕓 Midday:
“What’s my best next step?” — Pause, reflect, adjust.

🌙 Evening:
“What did I learn or achieve today?” — Reflect and celebrate progress.

These micro check-ins help you build momentum without waiting for outside approval.

🔹 Final Thoughts

In a career market that’s moving this fast, waiting for someone else to give you the answers is risky.

Your inner mentor is ready.

Your next move is waiting.

The only question is:

Will you trust yourself enough to make that bold move?

🎧 If this episode helped you see what’s possible, be sure to follow the Thrive Careers Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

💛 Want more tools?
 Download your free Career Clarity Playbook at www.thrivecareersconsulting.ca

Support the show using the link in the description — and help others thrive, too.

Thanks for listening.
 See you in the next episode.