As we move closer and closer to the official beginning of fall, I am inwardly celebrating the ‘flip of the page’ that comes with September. I’m sure there are many of you who might be mildly horrified at the fact that I am grateful to see the leaves beginning to change, and that I am eagerly anticipating the impending shorter days and cooler temps. But there you have it; that’s just the way my genes fell in place.

Boer War Memorial, Dorchester Square, Montreal                                      I wouldn’t ordinarily choose a horse’s back end as a sketching subject, but it was so hot in Montreal a couple of weekends ago, that I was grateful for an empty spot on a park bench in the shade…despite the view. It seems a suitable illustration for a discussion surrounding the end of summer, don’t you think?

Perhaps partly due to following school’s schedule for so long, September better represents the launch of a new year to me than January (which, nestled securely within winter’s blanket, seems more of a continuum than a starting point). And as such, this time of year holds a sense of excitement that is associated with new beginnings including, of course, plans for future work. Is the same true for you?

That said, I have been feeling the need for a boost lately: a re-shifting of perspective and a bit of a pep talk as I gear up for Fall and reevaluate where I’ve been and where I’m heading in my work. Getting There: A Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal is proving to be just the ticket.  With wisdom and straight talk from 30 luminaries, including Warren Buffett, Frank Gehry, Marina Abramovic, and Jeff Koons among others, it drills home the fact that commitment, resilience and kindness are just a few of the qualities that serve us all well in pursuit of our goals. That, and clearly a willingness to work hard.

I’m rolling up my sleeves and am ready to get started.