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Why I love mentoring

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Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.
Benjamin Franklin

Tonight I spoke at a creative arts night full of young creative people who are week in week out mentored in all different facets of the arts.

It was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with them because I feel so passionate about the power of mentoring.

The best mentoring environments that I have been involved in before are those that create practical teaching spaces, where both the mentored and mentor learn from one another.

A practical space of mutual respect.

A practical space where the mentor not only teaches but lives what he/she is teaching.

I love Benjamin Franklins’ quote above, tell someone and they will forget, teach them and they may remember but involve them and they learn.

I think placing yourself in a mentoring relationship is imperative if you want to achieve great things in life.

It is not until you have listened and been silenced, been encouraged and discouraged, lived openly with accountability, that I believe you grow into the fullness of your potential.

Strength is gained in the struggle.

Iron sharpening iron.

This is truly living.

I am offering an creative internship for 2014 if you know anyone who would be interested pass this information onto them: creative internship

Speak soon

Amanda

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Creative Internship 2014

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I am passionate about volunteerism and mentoring. I always have been.

I remember being a young girl in year 5, running into year 1 in my lunch breaks at school and beg to be the teachers helper.

I was a student teacher at my dancing school as a teenager and I have always volunteered in more than one organisation my whole life. In my previous roles in large organisations I have always brought younger creative people alongside me in the projects I have worked on, and consequently have people all over the world who are now working in the creative and event management fields who have been trained in my departments.

I believe I was afforded many opportunities through out my life by being mentored. Some of my greatest lessons have been learnt in this environment. I believe whole heartedly that volunteers make our community thrive and mentoring is such an important facet of career development.

In this season of my career, most of the projects I  lead and am involved in are voluntary ones in the community. Although they are voluntary they are wide reaching. It is amazing place of experience, growth and challenge.

I was discussing 2014 last week with some friends and I was saying how I am unsure how I can commit to all the opportunities next year because I am unable to sustain their growth, without a team of people working with them. In the midst of this discussion a friend suggested I get an intern.

At first, I dismissed this idea, feeling like it was a little pretentious, but as I began to think about it, I became excited, because I am so passionate about mentoring in the creative fields. I already mentor quite a few people and it is just increasing the responsibility of this forum to a formal role.

I considered hiring a PA, one day a week to help me continue in the momentum of these creative endeavors, but am not in a position yet to do this.  (maybe by the end of the year, this internship will result in a job?)

So here it is. 2014 will be the very first year that I am offering a ‘Creative Internship‘.

I have detailed all the job skills, job description and job opportunities that the intern will be exposed to in this Application Form: Creative Internship

All you need to do is download it and print it out, or answer the questions in your own typed document and apply.

Applications close December 31 and interviews will happen first couple of weeks of January and then the internship will begin at the end of January.

The applicant will need to commit to one year of training, mentoring and coaching as a part of the three main opportunities that I lead;

  • Capture: 30 days
  • Kinwomen
  • SPARC (Perth)

I am so looking forward to meeting people who are interested in the same fields as I work in and mostly I am excited to mentor and train the next generation.

Yours Sincerely

Amanda Viviers

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Just a touch of magic

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For a long time, before I had my little man Maximus, I was a creative director and event manager involved in many large scale productions. Ever since I can remember I have always been a part of communities putting together shows. I fondly remember my first audition when I was five years old for ‘The Sound of Music’ and I got one of the lead parts in that show.

The lure of the stage, the smell of the lights as they burn off the dust when first charged, the costumes and the camaraderie of local theatre marked me.

I think that is why even a hint of Christmas carols in December, makes me sparkle.

I am slightly confused when I read a status update criticising the heralding of Christmas carols in the shopping centres, I countdown the days until I can get my record player out and my Christmas collection of vinyls.

There is a magic about it.

There is something nostalgic and exciting about people gathering together, lighting candles and heralding in the season.

Every Christmas eve as I watch my friends at the Myer Music Bowl, singing my old time favourites, I am far from rolling my eyes, often my I am crying with joy.

My heart leaps.

The lights, the candles, the people, the memories of friends who have been lost.

It is truly magical.

‘And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.’

Ronald Dahl

It is childlike.

It is sublime.

If you are preparing and organising an event this Christmas, don’t lose the magic.

That atmosphere of mystery and poise.

Don’t let all your secrets out, over promising and under delivering.

Allow the simple beauty of moments to ring.

Allow your teams and your volunteers the time and the space to enjoy the magic of the moment.

Don’t stuff your calendars so full, that you are drawn to a place of stress and cynicism.

Take the time to prepare well, communicate clearly and then sit back and watch the moment unfold.

Events and productions that are disorganised and over zealous in their attempts often end up making the whole crowd feel insecure and awkward.

Do the simple things well and make sure everyone knows the details and the plan.

Then let the magic happen.

If you need some more Christmas inspiration download my Christmas Ebook ‘Capture: 30 merry days, a creative guide to christmas kindness’

Can’t wait to carol with you this year

Amanda

 

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2014: inspired

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I have been thinking about 2014 already.

I know, don’t be annoyed with me, but I wanted to start something that others could join in with me and unless we prepare it won’t happen. Christmas kinda drains us of all our motivation and then we often limp into a new year. I think the best resolutions are those that are planned.

The banner I am declaring over 2014 next year is this;

2014: inspired

The dictionary describes the word inspired in the following way…

inspired:
  1. of extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external creative impulse.
  2. (of air or another substance) that is breathed in.

These two definitions really impacted me, considering my writings of late. Creative impulse, breathing in, extraordinary quality. All of these words have begun to speak to me about the potential of a new year.

Honestly the last few years have been terribly crazy.

I am ready for an inspired year.

Another dictionary described the word inspired;  ‘imbued with the spirit to do something, by or as if by supernatural or divine influence.’

As I have been thinking and praying about this project the reason why I believe I need to get it out there now, is I think it is going to be an amazing time of freedom and inspiration for the people that take part in it.

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Here is what I am going to do…

I am committing to drawing, finding, writing, describing, looking for and visually representing something I have been inspired by everyday.

I have bought the Kikki K Journal 365 above to do it with and then I will take a photo and post it on Instagram and on here each day.

My goal is to capture the inspiration that is awaiting discovery.

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I know there will be hard times, I know somedays it will be difficult with a 2 year old, but I am committing to it.

I want to ask you now, what will you commit to with me?

I will help you with accountability.

Think about it.

Is it write on your blog everyday?

Is it to take a photo everyday and post to Instagram?

Is it to exercise everyday and document it someway?

or do you want to join me by buying a 365 journal and write, drawing, scrapbook, visual journey our way through 2014.

I am asking you to commit by hash-tagging this #inspire14

I am believing that 2014 will be a completely different year for you.

One of inspiration and capturing moments, that fleetingly pass us by.

There is so much on the internet and in our homes that is discouraging, why don’t you email me and commit to something positive together.

Email: amanda@amandaviviers.com

Another way to start the year well, is to use my book Capture 30 days of inspiration to begin your year creatively. It is a 30 day inspiration guide, to living a more creative life.

“I ask not for any crown
But that which all may win;
Nor try to conquer any world
Except the one within.”

Louisa May Alcock

Let’s conquer something together.

Inspired

Amanda
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Christmas Chocolate Bombe

christmas bombe

Photo and Part recipe from Jamie Oliver

Every Christmas I have made this Chocolate Christmas Bombe.

It is so good and so much fun to make.

1 litre good-quality vanilla ice cream

1 kg panettone

3 heaped tablespoons raspberry jam

25 g shelled pistachios

75 g tinned sour cherries, drained

40 g glacé glacé fruit, thinly sliced

200 g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), bashed up or white chocolate (I prefer white)

Get your ice cream out of the freezer so it can soften a little while you get things ready. Line a 2 litre pudding bowl with 3 layers of cling wrap. Use a serrated knife to slice four 2cm thick rounds off of your panettone then cut them in half. You’ll have some panettone left over, so keep this for another time. Arrange six of the slices in a single layer around the bowl and push them down if they overlap. Drizzle some Rum around the sponge so it soaks in (if you want it to have a alcoholic touch, I don’t because of the kids), then use the back of a spoon to smear the jam over the sponge.

Add half of the ice cream to the bowl and use the spoon to spread it around in a thick layer. Sprinkle in the pistachios, cherries and glacé fruit. Add the rest of the ice cream. Spread it out, working quickly so the ice cream doesn’t completely melt. Put the rest of the panettone slices on top of the ice cream, then cover the bowl tightly with cling film. Press a plate down on top to press everything down, then freeze overnight, or longer.

When you’re ready to serve it, put the bashed-up chocolate in a bowl and get that over a pan of simmering water on a really low heat. Leave the chocolate to melt while you unwrap your amazing winter bombe and carefully turn it onto a beautiful serving dish. Add a few gratings of orange zest to the chocolate and when it’s nicely melted, pour it over the top so it oozes down the sides and looks delicious. Decorate with christmassy love. I put a jaffa lolly and two mint leaves on top.

For the more visual amongst you…

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8irhIODEp-k

 

Many more of my favourite christmas recipes can be found in my Christmas E-book Capture: 30 merry days