Being asked to mentor someone is a huge gift. The benefit to you as a mentor of giving up your time to share all you have learned as a professional is beyond the realm of everyday words and it leaves me searching for the right superlative and it is not very often I am speechless.
How does one describe the feelings you have when you see great improvement from the mentoring relationship?
It’s a bit like having an extra child, but instead in most cases they are an adult.
You have pride that you have been an influence on another person taking steps to be their best.
I am always touched that they chose me and had the confidence and trust that I would guide them in the right direction.
You feel thrilled that you have been a part of their success, especially the baby steps.
There is always admiration, because my mentoree has had the foresight to understand that they could use a little help and took the step to find someone to give it to them.
I also sometimes get a little anxious. It is only normal as all humans have some form of self-criticality within. Do I really know what I’m talking about? Well actually I do!
Blessed and thankful are probably the fiercest feelings I get because, I do believe it is always just a beneficial to me to mentor someone as it is for the person being mentored.
Don’t think asking someone to mentor you is going to be a huge burden. Any time and effort outlaid on their part is heavily outweighed by the satisfaction they feel when you take steps forward from the knowledge and confidence you have instilled within them.
Never take for granted that you can be an influencer. As a role model I like to live what I believe and being an inspiration can go both ways. I have learned just as much from my mentorees as they gain from me.
I have been taught many a lesson in patience and understanding. It has also given me more than my fair share of insight into how people work with each other and where friction is caused by the way different personalities relate.
Some people want you to do everything for them. Which is not mentoring at all. Others are too scared to ask for help and it is up to the mentor to challenge them. In both these scenarios, mentoring is always about guidance not doing the work for them, but giving them the tools to achieve on their own.
The last thing I feel is gratitude. Gratitude to be a mentor, gratitude to be able to share and inspire, gratitude that you read what I have to say and hopefully take away something to inspire you to be your best and happiest self.
If you want to find your perfect mentor, get yourself into my Secret Mentor Business eCourse where I will guide you to find up to 45 potential perfect mentors.
Share to be inspired, be inspired to share.
i have a lot of gratitude for my mentor. She is wise, and guides me when I require. She listens to my goal setting and helps me focus when I seem out of focus and befuddled. My business is stronger because of her valuable guidance.
You are a superstar Melanie. You have the answers inside of you, just trust yourself.