How do you find these people? Where do they come
from? It’s hard to tell. Likely they’ll surprise you, appearing
seemingly out of nowhere at just the right time. The whole
thing will look like an accident or a mystery but, of course,
it is far from it. As Paulo Coelho writes, “When you want
something, all the universe conspires in helping you to
achieve it.”^3 There’s some truth to that. Fortune favors the
motivated. When a person is determined to not just succeed
but to do work that matters, the world makes room for such
ambition. You won’t be able to predict how this
apprenticeship unfolds, but you can be prepared for it when
it comes.
Ginny Phang could have easily missed her calling had
she not heeded her friend Amy’s advice to take the doula
class. She may not have been ready for what would be
required of her, but she was ready to take action. And that
small step made all the difference.
I often hear people who need guidance in their lives
asking for advice on how to find a mentor, but that’s the
wrong question to ask. When you pursue a calling, you will
find a community of supporters to champion you along the
way. It’s not up to you where these people come from or
even how to locate them. You just need to keep your eyes
open. Accidental apprenticeships are all around you, and if
you listen to your life you’ll be able to recognize them.