By Aurea Crotty

Most successful people will attribute their success to the help and guidance they received from mentors. I am a firm believer that to be successful we absolutely need to find people who have already paved the way and are willing to teach their key learning so that we may excel beyond and achieve our goals. When you open yourself up to a mentor to receive their advice, guidance, and encouragement you save yourself the time, effort, and tribulations it would have otherwise taken you to achieve that particular task. A mentor relationship is not about taking shortcuts, as I guarantee you will encounter your own challenges, but with a mentor by your side, your bounce back will be that much quicker, and the hope is that you are duplicating the same mistakes.

The impact a mentor has on your life is truly up to you and your willingness to be open and be influenced by another person. As the mentor is investing and giving unto you, it is your responsibility to give unto them by embracing their advice and implementing it. A mentor’s impact on your life is also determined by your mentor’s willingness to help you in everyway possible to help you achieve your goal.

When looking for a mentor, you want to connect with someone who authentically cares about you and who wants you to be successful. You should select someone you respect and look up to, someone you would like to be like.

Here are some tips for finding and working with a mentor:

1. Find a mentor who has similar goals and is on the same career path as you. (Or career path you would like to be on)
2. Select a mentor you respect and who authentically cares about your development and growth, someone who is going to embrace you and help you in any way they can to ensure you are successful.
3. Make sure your mentor has the time to dedicate to your relationship.
4. The best way to start a mentorship relationship is to be friends first –reach out to your mentor start slow.
5. As your mentor needs to commit to you, you must commit to your mentor –take time to foster the relationship and show gratitude.

Do you have questions about finding a mentor? Have any advice you would like to add…post here.