Because a mentor is such a valuable addition to your life, knowing how to find a mentor is very important. This article will provide tips on how to find a mentor that can assist you in your life or business. You will also learn how to make the most of your role as mentee.
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How I found a mentor.
The mentors in my life were always people I felt were where I wanted to be in either life or business. These were people who excelled in their career, provided value to others, and who were willing to share their expertise with me because they believed in my potential. People who were committed to helping me define my dream and then turn it into a reality.
I’ve had several mentors over the span of my life, and I developed a special relationship with each of them. They all provided value to me in different ways and became cheerleaders in my life during times when I didn’t even know I needed one.
How do you find a mentor?
Find a mentor who makes it about YOU and not them, a person who is in it for the long haul. A person you RESPECT and could also consider a friend. I found the majority of my mentors in my work environment but there are many ways to find mentors, here are a few tips for finding a mentor.
How to find a mentor in school or at work.
School and work are great places to find a mentor. You will already be in an environment of learning. A professor or a manager is already in a position to teach you based on your field of interest and “show you the ropes.” Make good use of your time. Ask questions and be eager to learn. When you demonstrate a desire to learn from you mentor, you will find that they will be more forthcoming with their expertise and experiences. A good mentor will want to share both his accomplishments and missteps.
How to find a mentor on the Internet.
Outside of school and work, the Internet in my opinion is by far one of the best ways to be mentored. Even if you aren’t able to meet in real life you can still be mentored from afar. Through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites, you are able to interact real-time with your mentor. You can observe how they are advancing in their area of business, how they are marketing themselves, and what opportunities are being presented to them. In other words, you can see what your future looks like!
Now that you know how to find mentors, what’s the next step? Do you approach them and ask them to be your mentor?
Quite honestly, I had mentors I approached and asked, “Will you mentor me?” and with others we just understood our roles. It may not have been stated, “You’re my mentor,” but they were providing VALUE to me and I appreciated their advice and encouragement.
Once you’ve found a mentor, be a good student. Your mentor is there to motivate you, to learn from you, to be available to you, to provide positive reinforcement, and to keep you focused. Allow them to do so. It shouldn’t feel like a chore for either party. The process should be mutually gratifying to both people involved.
Once you’ve been successfully mentored, the best thing you can do is to pay it forward and mentor someone else. It’s a wonderful thank you to the person who mentored you and equally as gratifying.
I hope this article provided you with tips on how to find a mentor. Are you in need of a writing coach? Contact me today for your free strategy session.
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I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT OF OPENLY ASKING FOR MENTORING HELP. BUT, I DO WATCH TO SEE WHO IS DOING WHAT I WANT TO DO,AND HOW WELL THEY ARE DOING IT. THEN I WILL THINK “HUH,ICAN DO THAT IF SHE CAN.” IF I NEVER SEE ANYONE DOING WHAT I WANT TO DO, OR IF I DID NOT HAVE A MENTOR, I WILL STILL SAY “
“HUH, I CAN DO THAT.” AND I DO!
Thanks Nita for sharing.
Sometimes by openly asking a person to be your mentor, they can work with you one on one and offer personal suggestions based on what they know of you. Which is definitely an advantage!
Be sure to stop by tomorrow, I'm discussing networking.
Hello its Anita from MBC. Just Stopping by to show some love. I love your blog! Some great info here. :0)
Thanks Anita! I appreciate your support!
You make some good points, I'm constantly learning new things from those around me and it's always great to pass it on. It can be hard to ask for help (if you're stubborn like me), but sometimes it really does pay off.
Interesting post! Looking forward to reading more of them!
Beth
Maybe Tomorrow?
http://xxbetty.blogspot.com/
You make a good point Beth. Sometimes it is difficult to ask people for help. But receiving help it makes it so much easier. Did you read today's post on the importance of networking?