Guided by the right
IF YOU’RE STUCK ON ‘WHERE TO NEXT’ A MENTOR MAY BE THE ANSWER FOR YOU
Amentor can be a shining light to help people move forward in their careers, whether mentees want to learn skills, improve confidence, gain advice or have a sounding board for ideas.
In a fast-changing world and in the age of information “where to next” can be confusing, says creativity mentor and author Karyn Sepulveda.
“The most overwhelming factor though, is the thought of trying to figure life out alone,” , she says. y “We need support and guidance, no matter r our age or experience. This is where the idea of mentorship comes in.”
Nick Bell, owner of a dozen digital marketing agencies around the world, credits much of his success s to mentoring.
“A great mentor is someone who has fought in the same trenches as you, won most of the battles, and understands your struggle,” he says. “The question I’m often asked is how to find that person.”
IDENTIFY NEEDS
Bell believes everyone should have a mentor, and to have one for every aspect of their lives, whether investing in property or boosting their career.
“I’ve had roughly 10 mentors,” he says. “When I was in my early 20s, I thought I didn’t need a mentor and could do it all myself. I thought I knew a lot, but the truth is, I didn’t.”
Sepulveda, author of The Women’s Circle and Letters To My Yesterday, says forming a mentorship takes consideration and time.
“Before starting any research, write a wishlist and record exactly what it is you’re looking for in a mentor,” she says. “Keep this list handy, adding to it as you need to.”
WHERE TO LOOK
“A great starting place for finding the perfect mentor is a simple internet search based on the area of your life you are looking for guidance in,” Sepulveda says.
It may reveal formal mentoring programs available through organisations ranging from local government associations to charities, or websites that match people, such as women with female mentors.
Bell has founded a global online mentoring g platform, p Lisnic, to connect mentees me with mentors. mentors
Some Som mentors are high profile, while others oth are successful people peo in their fields. fie
Mentees lodge their the request, and mentors me reply with what wha they can offer.
Bell Be says before setting up his site, making cold-call co approaches approac on Linkedin had been bee one of the common ways to find a mentor.
“My advice is not to get hung up on trying to find a mentor at the very top of your particular tree,” he says. “Find someone who can teach you something, but who also can relate to your daily struggles.
“There are plenty of incredible people who might not be household names (yet), but they have knowledge, experience and – perhaps most importantly – time in their schedule.”
He says some mentors are looking for something in return – whether it is payment for their time, or ways that you can help them – so be prepared.
“A paid relationship means the mentee values your time and the
mentor is held responsible to provide value to you,” he says. “If you’re approaching a potential mentor personally, persistence helps, especially if they don’t respond initially. Show them that you’re hungry and you want to learn.”
He says mentees should also examine the challenges that they want help to overcome.
“Prior to the mentor session, send through a list of the current problems they are facing and the mentor can talk through the challenges,” he says.
GIVE IT TIME
Arrange an initial call or meeting to ensure you feel comfortable with and inspired by your chosen mentor.
Go back to your wishlist to check the relationship will meet your needs.
Bell recommends meeting with the mentor once a month, but the time spent together will be individual.
“You can outgrow your mentors,” he says. “Sometimes the apprentice can become the master, then it’s time to find someone (else if you) can’t learn from that person anymore.”
WHY ARE MENTORS GOOD?
“The easiest and most effective way to learn anything new, is to be guided by a person with experience,” Sepulveda says.
She says mentors can help to diversify skills, build networks and achieve career growth.
“A mentor is not just someone to hold your hand through a change, they can be the catalyst for that change,” she says. “A mentor is your sounding board, your co-creator of ideas, an anchor when you’re overwhelmed. Perhaps most importantly, they may act like a mirror of insight – helping you to recognise and understand what is holding you back.”
Bell says mentors can help in a range of areas, such as finding a better career or being a great public speaker. “I may be 50 and want to learn more about social media – I can reach out to someone 30-years-old that holds a lot more experience,” he says. “A lot of people have mentors.”
Find someone who can relate to your daily struggles