Why You Need a Mentor as Early as Now

This is probably not the first time you hear someone say, “Get a mentor.” And most likely, you are still having doubts about having one. Come to think of it, why would you need to have a mentor-mentee relationship if the best teacher is experience? You might have this thinking that we need to learn things on our own. While that is true, getting help to cut the learning curve is a brilliant idea as well. After all, the competition in the workforce now is tougher than ever. Thus, it would be nice to have leverage.

Let’s share with you why having a mentor is one of the key ways to reach success. 

Provides You With a Wider Perspective 

Our thoughts and views are often limited to our own experiences. And these might not be enough to call ourselves experts. But, this doesn’t mean that we can’t have a better perspective of the things around us. That’s where a good mentor comes in. 

As they are already seasoned and have years of experience under their belts, they can provide insights far different from ours. Their skills are forged by several successes and failures, making them the perfect people to offer real-life learnings. 

Shares the Best Practices 

Admit it or not, our generation has become dependent on technologies. We want everything fast, and we want everything to be instant. While that is good in most cases, certain practices are better done the traditional way. Your mentor can share these with you.  

It is not to say that we must practice exactly what they did in the past. After all, it could be obsolete. However, if you can use the same principles and adapt the practices using technology and our modern resources, then you might come up with something even more relevant and efficient. 

Motivates You 

Another reason why you have to get a mentor as early as now is to keep you motivated. For others, this is easy because they already have an inspiration to fuel them up. Unfortunately, the case is not always the same for everyone. We need to be reminded of why we need to keep going. Otherwise, the lack of direction stops us from achieving our goals.

Pushes You to be Better 

A good mentor is also honest. If they see that you are not giving your best, or that you still have more potential to unleash, they will be upfront about it. Think of them as your gym coach where they want you to push yourself to the limits, but at the same time, they protect you from having injuries. This leads us to the next point. 

Protects You From Pitfalls 

The beauty of building a relationship with a mentor is that you can avoid the same mistakes they did. 

It is true these experiences can make us stronger and more resilient. But wouldn’t it be better to skip that process and do things right the first time? 

This is not to say that you will not make mistakes along the way. That’s a part of the process, and you have to embrace it. But at least with a mentor, you do not have to risk so much and you can reach your dreams the fastest time possible. 

They Never Quit  

And lastly, a mentor will never quit on you. It’s not just a professional relationship that you have – but something deeper. A mentor is a person in your life where you put your trust, and at the same, they trust you as well. 

What Makes a Good Mentor?

We’ve seen a lot of programs offering mentorship, and that alone explains the demand for it. However, we do not recommend that you jump into the first program that you see. Remember, you are forming a relationship, so it is crucial that you trust your mentor. And at the same time, your personalities must match so that you can reach your full potential. 

What are the characteristics of a good mentor? 

Well, first, they must show interest in your success, and they genuinely care about your journey. If you have questions, they will provide you with a thorough answer based on experience and research. They will help you to become the best version of yourself, and they are not threatened by your achievements.  

As early as now, you can start searching for the right mentor. It’s for your professional growth. More so for your personal development. It’s not limited to a person providing tips and general advice, but rather they take it a notch higher by understanding what you really need. From there, they will help you clear the path in order to reach your goals.