Mentoring-do you value it?

The importance of Mentors .

What does this mean to you ? Is it important to you ?, or maybe you feel you don’t need one?

I feel we ALL need one or maybe even two ,three or four!

I haven’t had many but the ones I have had , played an integral role in my development . Probably more than they ever realised .

Also different mentors have different skill sets themselves and can offer varying degrees of support and constructive opinion .

My wife has always been my life long mentor , championing me at every opportunity . This has been invaluable for me on a personal level and helped lay the foundations for me to launch myself on a professional level .

My late father in law Marshall McCollum was my first mentor outside my wife . He truly believed in me , and he instilled this belief in me too ; when he spoke I listened . Anyone reading this that knows me ,will know this is rare for me ! So I thank him for that .Forever grateful ????

Then we have mentors in a professional capacity . People we look up-to ,hugely respect and have them as a bench mark . I value this type very much too . Even better if they are emotionally invested in your journey . Then it’s something special .It becomes more than words .

I have been very lucky in that I have had a couple of these through my career . I’m so thankful for those that believe in me ,give me their time ,in turn I reciprocate it .

Mentoring can come in many forms , it doesn’t always have to be a brain storming exercise, heavy on the mind and all business . A mis conception from some . For me it can be about sharing challenges you both face ,getting a different perspective. Reaffirming your thought process or giving you clarity on something you couldn’t see yourself . It can be light hearted and taking a step back from the field of battle that can be working life .

If your reading this and you DONT have a mentor I’d encourage you to have a look around you ,who do you trust to talk openly with ,share your challenges ,worries ,and successes . It could elevate you to another level . Keep open minded ,think outside the box .

FINALLY

Never underestimate your own ability either ,you could very well already be a mentor to someone else and you don’t even know it . Someone else could be looking up-to you ,listening to your every word . That’s one of the reasons to be your best ,every day .

Thanks for reading .

Gary :)