Having a mentor in one’s life is extremely important. At every stage of our lives, we have needed someone who we can look up to and get some valuable advice for life, work or almost anything that's indispensable.
As a new born, it is our mothers, at school, it is our teachers, and when we become professionals, we need a mentor to teach us the tricks of the trade.
Needless to say, having a mentor is crucial, especially if you’re planning to launch your own business. However, finding the right mentor can be somewhat tricky and at the same time overwhelming. This article will help in addressing a few basic questions that include: how you can find a mentor online, how you can find a mentor to boost your career, and most importantly what is the best way to find the right mentor for you. Take a look:
#1. Ask
Communication is essential. If you are looking for a career mentor or a life mentor, the first thing that you have to do is to tell them that you need their help. So, never be afraid to ask someone who you feel can be a great mentor to you. Don’t think of them as busy or not, just be outright and ask for help.
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#2. Be Mentor Worthy
At this point, we are reminded of a famous mentor quote – “Anyone giving up their time to help you with your professional life and career is going to want to make sure that their time is being spent wisely.” What this mentor quote tells us is that your mentor should feel that he/she is not wasting his/her time mentoring you. You should be someone who is willing to learn and listen to their mentor thoroughly.
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#3. Choose A Mentor Wisely
Your friends from class or your colleague at work are not ideal mentors. That is because they are stuck at the same place as you and hence, will never provide you with cutting-edge wisdom. A mentor should be able to teach you things with a different perspective. Successful people do the same thing as others, just in a different way. So, find someone who can provide you with a different perspective on your life and career. Finding the right mentor is extremely crucial for your overall growth.
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#4. Online Mentor
In this age of the internet, it is not important to be able to meet your mentor in-person. In fact, it is not even important that your mentor knows that he is mentoring you. Yes, with the help of the internet, you can find several mentors online, who impart their wisdom to the people on the web. Check out people who you think talk sense and just follow them on your social media platforms. Watch out their videos on YouTube to take some inpiration and absorb their energy, thoughts and vibes. Social media is the best answer to the question: how to find a mentor online.
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#5. Have More Than One Mentor
Remember how you had different sets of friends who had different roles in your lives? You liked to study with some but liked hanging out with someone else. Similarly, just one mentor will never likely solve all the problems in your life. Seek as many mentors as possible. As goes the saying, a good counsel makes a good king. Try having as many wise men in your network as possible. If possible have different people mentoring you for your life and career.
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#6. Give Back
If you always felt that there is nothing that you can do for your mentors; then you are hugely mistaken. There are many ways in which you can give back to your mentor. Your relationship should never be a one-way affair. Try to share their tweets on social media, make more people join their business network- there is so much you can do to help them and this way you can gain their trust as well.
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And finally, place yourself in the shoes of a mentor and try being a mentor to someone. Help people and try to understand them. This will provide you with the opportunity to excel in life. If you know other ways in which one can find a right life mentor and a career mentor, let us know in the comments below.
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