THE JOURNEY TO SELF DEVELOPMENT - #DAY 4.

FIND A MENTOR

Mentorship is a pivotal aspect in your journey to Self development that can never be over emphasized.

WHO IS A MENTOR?

A mentor is an adept, consummate, experienced and trusted adviser, who would willingly share with a mentee or protégé information’s about their own career path as well as provide guidance and motivation. A mentor also helps with the exploration of career choices, goal setting and identification of resources. An Ideal mentor would be willing to support, advise ,share skills, knowledge and expertise regardless of their protégés stage in their professional development.

Most people seem to misunderstand the whole process of mentorship and I actually did same too for a while. We tend to jump at any successful person we meet, this is particularly common amongst students. Some people approach almost everyone they come in contact with for mentorship, this shouldn’t be so. It cannot be gainsaid that most people feel they do not need a mentor, but lets quickly take a look at a few benefits. 

BENEFIT OF MENTORSHIP

• Mentors can see where we need improvement even when we can't.

George Lucas said,

“Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults that we would like, Its the only way we grow"

• Mentors provide information and knowledge.
• They act as catalysts for our personal and professional growth.

Oprah Winfrey also said,

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself".

• Mentors are disciplinarians, who help create necessary boundaries that we cannot set for ourselves. 
• Mentors are connectors
• Mentors have the experience you can learn from, to prevent making the same mistakes beginners make.

I frequently get questions like how do I choose my mentor, and somehow I get to share my own story with those who ask. Most young people struggle with finding a mentor, they just hang around waiting to see if someone will take a chance on them.

Personally, before I choose my mentor, I had my criteria’s. I knew why I needed a mentor, the kind of person I needed as a mentor and so it was quite easy when I found the person and the whole process was smooth.

I knew I needed someone in my career path that would inspire me, motivate and encourage me, I looked for someone I could trust, Because you need to always be as transparent as possible with your mentor. Begin by identifying highly successful individuals. Just as the accomplishments of your mentor matters, their personal attributes such as altruism, work-life balance and patience also matter. It is imperative that mentees find mentors they can see themselves becoming.

Deciding that you deserve to have a mentor and finding success is most important. Be specific about what you want to gain from the relationship. Find someone you want to be like, study the person, make the request and follow up. Let the relationship blossom gradually.Mentoring is a relationship and must be allowed to grow over time based on mutual respect and trust. Don’t force it, give it time and it will grow.

When you eventually find a mentor, be very polite, say please and thank you when necessary. No one wants to be taken for granted especially when they are volunteering despite a busy schedule. Engage them and be energetic. The best mentees are fun to work with, they are energy donors and not just energy recipients.

 Lastly, maturity is important especially when receiving feedbacks, avoid being defensive, especially when you are hit with the truth.Take the constructive criticism, appreciate it and grow.

Mentorship is important, not just because of the knowledge and skills individuals can learn from mentors but also it provides professional socialization and personal support to facilitate success in the real world.

Do you have a mentor? Find one TODAY!!