Strategies to find Mentors

Strategies to find Mentors

Mentors aren't just for students considered at-risk -- or for entrepreneurs at risk of failure. In fact, a quality mentoring relationship is valuable to any student, whether the student is engaged in academics, a new business or wants to focus on the business of a meaningful life. Mentors can help students of all types set goals and visualize them, and provide inspiration and guidance. Mentors can also help students recognize setbacks, overcome them, and give laurels for mastery and achievement.
Mentors can also ease the uncertainty of transition -- a phase of most new learning endeavors, whether it's going back to school, learning a new trade or developing new personal talents and disciplines. And since most new endeavors mean new people, projects, practices and new goals--even a new lifestyle--it's easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when attempting to go it alone. With the support and companionship of a mentor, transitions are smoother. Likewise, endeavors become more certain.
A meaningful relationship with a mentor can change that, and optimize options and opportunities for academic, business and personal growth -- self help for real success.
Choosing a Mentor
Making the right decision is key to realizing inspiration, support and guidance from a mentor and the mentoring relationship. Likewise, we visualize our companions and friends -- the people who share our values and goals. Visualization is a powerful determiner of success, so visualize the mentor you envision -- and visualize a perfect fit!
"The best goals are aligned with one's personal values, and the best mentor is someone who shares these values," Thomas adds. And it helps if the mentor has completed goals similar to the student's. Consequently, the mentor becomes a role model personified -- a guide with wisdom, firsthand knowledge and expertise.
So how does a student go about choosing a mentor? LifeManual offers five strategies that prove to have a positive impact on the most meaningful mentor-mentee relationship:
1. Personal is Paramount: Choose a mentor that you respect because the mentor respects the goals you envision and the values you honor.
2. Older is Better: Ideally, a mentor should be at least 15 years older than the student.
3. Trust is a Treasure: In origin, the word trust means faithful. A faithful, trusted mentor means you can rely on his or her character, ability, truth and strength. Because a faithful, trustworthy mentor has this kind of courage, too.
4. Confirm the Commitment: A mentoring relationship will only work if the mentor actually has a desire to commit to you, and the time to spend with you, even if only for a few hours a month.
5. Multiple Mentors May Maximize Results: For most students, a one-size-fits-all mentor is improbable. Choosing two or even three mentors can be a very wise move.

READ ALSO:
* How to find Mentor
* Value of Mentor