The Importance of Mentors
http://www.setthestageforsuccess.com/articles/17242/1/The-Importance-of-Mentors/Page1.html
Denise Kennard
Denise is the co-owner and administrator of Competent Care Home Health Nursing in Costa Mesa, California. She has over twenty years of experience in home health nursing, in both bedside care and managerial roles. Denise is a member of California Association for Health Services at Home and serve in two committees. She is also a member of National Association of Women Business Owners and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.By Denise Kennard
Published on 09/1/2008
Do you have a mentor in your life? Maybe you know several people that
would qualify, or maybe you are still seeking that trusted counselor. I
have been fortunate enough to have had more than one mentor in the
course of my life. Interestingly, the right person 'just happened to
come along' right before I entered into a specific period of life when
I needed them. In some cases they were there all along, but I just
didn’t see it. I took them for granted until I really needed them. The
truth is that good mentors are all around us, we just need to open our
eyes.
Do you have a mentor in your life? Maybe you know several people that would qualify, or maybe you are still seeking that trusted counselor. I have been fortunate enough to have had more than one mentor in the course of my life. Interestingly, the right person 'just happened to come along' right before I entered into a specific period of life when I needed them. In some cases they were there all along, but I just didn’t see it. I took them for granted until I really needed them. The truth is that good mentors are all around us, we just need to open our eyes.
What exactly is a mentor, and how do I find one if they are all around?
"Mentors are role models of the type of person you want to become. They can give you wisdom and guidance without prejudice and inspire you to greater achievement."
~Quoted from Jeffery Gitomer’s Little Red Book of Sales Answers
I suggest you pay close attention to those around you. Take note of traits that impress you. Find those who have been victorious in the conflicts you are facing. Your champion may be a boss, a friend or a parent. Perhaps he or she is a retiree—an aged warrior who has conquered and who is now enjoying the spoils of battle.
When you find your role model, don’t ask him or her to be a mentor, just get to know him better. If he is interested in you as a person, share your desire for success. To do this you will have to have thought this out and seen it with your mind already. If you haven't done that there are many great articles here to help you get started ... But getting back to your mentor ...
Be open to suggestions that might focus your vision or re-direct some of your efforts. Listen. Listen appreciatively. Make an effort to take your guide out for a favorite meal once a month and just talk. This is good for accountability and motivation when the difficult times come.
My slowest times of growth, both personal and business, have been when I had no mentor in my life. Although they are not mandatory for success, these sage souls bring insight that can be invaluable to you on your journey.
There is a joy to being a mentor, too. Seeing another heed your advice and profit from it is inspirational. It reinvigorates the mentor and often is as important to him or her as it is the the person on the "receiving end."
Who are your mentors? Who do you mentor? Open your eyes and look for the people in your life that may be a blessing to you and you, in turn, to them. And remember, we are all mentors at heart.
What exactly is a mentor, and how do I find one if they are all around?
"Mentors are role models of the type of person you want to become. They can give you wisdom and guidance without prejudice and inspire you to greater achievement."
~Quoted from Jeffery Gitomer’s Little Red Book of Sales Answers
I suggest you pay close attention to those around you. Take note of traits that impress you. Find those who have been victorious in the conflicts you are facing. Your champion may be a boss, a friend or a parent. Perhaps he or she is a retiree—an aged warrior who has conquered and who is now enjoying the spoils of battle.
When you find your role model, don’t ask him or her to be a mentor, just get to know him better. If he is interested in you as a person, share your desire for success. To do this you will have to have thought this out and seen it with your mind already. If you haven't done that there are many great articles here to help you get started ... But getting back to your mentor ...
Be open to suggestions that might focus your vision or re-direct some of your efforts. Listen. Listen appreciatively. Make an effort to take your guide out for a favorite meal once a month and just talk. This is good for accountability and motivation when the difficult times come.
My slowest times of growth, both personal and business, have been when I had no mentor in my life. Although they are not mandatory for success, these sage souls bring insight that can be invaluable to you on your journey.
There is a joy to being a mentor, too. Seeing another heed your advice and profit from it is inspirational. It reinvigorates the mentor and often is as important to him or her as it is the the person on the "receiving end."
Who are your mentors? Who do you mentor? Open your eyes and look for the people in your life that may be a blessing to you and you, in turn, to them. And remember, we are all mentors at heart.