Ten Steps to Finding Your Mentor
Are you looking for a mentor – someone who will build a relationship with you, someone to teach and advise you and enable you to become a wise and effective human being? Here are ten steps to finding that person:
- Look at the people you know
Look around at the people in your personal and professional life. Is there someone you admire? Someone you would like to emulate in some way? Someone who has the wisdom you need? - Consider people you’ve never met
Research the top individuals in the businesses, organizations and trace associations of your chosen field. Find out as much as you can about them. Identify those individuals whose values and accomplishments you most admire. - Select a mentor who is a good role model
Look for someone who is not only famous or successful, but who has a reputation for character and solid principles. Look for someone you can admire and respect as well as emulate. - Select a mentor who is a good listener
The best mentor is one who gets to know you – your skills and strengths and weaknesses, your individual personality and your aspirations. A good mentor should not serve as a lecturer, but as a sounding board who will help you with your struggles and help you to clarify your principles and beliefs. - Select a mentor who levels with you
A good mentor doesn’t just encourage you, but will also tell you the blunt truth when you are moving in the wrong direction. It is also a good sign if your mentor is candid and open about his or her own life. Anyone who has accomplished great things has made mistakes along the way and will share those experiences freely so that you can learn from them. - Look for someone who is unlike you in some important way
Our tendency is to gravitate toward those with whom we have a lot in common. But in seeking out a mentor, it is wise to seek out people who have strengths that we lack. For example, if you are a shy and introverted person, seek out someone who is bold and gregarious. Instead of pairing up with someone who will reinforce your weaknesses, find someone who will challenge you to acquire new strengths. - Be open to finding a mentor in unlikely places
We tend to think of a mentor or teacher as someone with gray hair and a well-lined face. Not necessarily! A mentor could be anyone who has something to teach you and could be the same age or even younger than you. A mentor could be someone of lower rank and social standing than you. - If the person doesn’t know you, approach that person with a brief letter of introduction
You might say, “I have followed your achievements in the field of ______ and I eagerly read your book on ______. Like you, I am very concerned about the issue of _____ and I hope to make a contribution in these areas myself someday. I am looking for a mentoring relationship, and I would be grateful if you could spare thirty minutes to discuss such a possibility with me.” - Make personal contact
Don’t be shy. Ask, “Would you be willing to mentor me?” You may think you are imposing on that person, but I have found that most people who have achieved a place of accomplishment in life are eager to share their wisdom, experience and knowledge with others. When you ask someone to be your mentor, you are truly offering them high praise. - Remember, you are never too old to be mentored
I have reached a point where I know I have a lot of knowledge and experience to offer others – but I still have a lot to learn! That’s why, despite my age and gray hair, I still seek out people to mentor me – people like Rich DeVos!
This article is used with permission
31 Responses to “Ten Steps to Finding Your Mentor”
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please can u find some one to mentor me in acheiving my lifes dream??
am a student learning an industrial mechanical engineer and will like someone to mentor me
good article thank you for posting it
I must say, this is a very good motivation for someone as shy and introverted like me. I would really like to be mentored as i know this would grately help me in achieving my career goals and especially boost my lacking confidence. I do have a lot to offer, but clearly need that push…
Toni, you have come to the right place, and I would be glad to mentor you.
I see that it has been quite a while since you posted your request for a mentor.
Have you gotten one yet?
Davidson, I would be glad to mentor you, if you have not already gotten someone to do so.
Ginger, I would be glad to mentor you, if you have not already gotten someone to do so.
Firstly thanks for there word and advises of looking for someone to mentor me,am still young in age but wanna achieve big.just that sometime i feel so down that i can’t get where i want,but with what i just read now am strongly believing in my self.am sure i will get someone on there same field i wish to follow or grow.
So Colour, you too are looking for a mentor. I am glad that you have decided to do that and learn from and with someone else who has the skills you are looking for to help you achieve your dreams. It is good to want to succeed but there are so many ways to succeed in life these days so it is very important that you think carefully what is truly important to you and be sure that what you decide on is really going to enrich your life and hopefully teach you to give something back to those who have nurtured you and those who are less fortunate that you are.
This is a Christian site so you would get plenty of help and suggestions if you go to the top of the page and click on “mentor”. It would be a good idea if you do sign up to mention which particular areas you want help with so that somebody with those skills can be designated to get in touch with you. How does that sound? Blessings.
I am a student studying accounting and finance in the Kelley School of Business. I have been searching for a mentor for months and have been unsuccessful in obtaining one. I have contacted several great minds in my fields and studied the markets for years. I feel that I have plateaued and need someone to guide me to new heights. I would be honored to receive a reply after being inspired by this article.
Hi Chris, what an awesome field you have chosen. How much longer do you have till you graduate? Which classes do you still have to take? I myself have studied accounting. While attending, God had blessed me with some really amazing Professors. Perhaps I can be of help. I’d be more than happy to encourage you along. Look forward to hearing back from you.
Barbara, Thank you for getting back so quickly! I would love some help along this long road. Where can I reach you privately?
Hi Chris, below is a link to fill out a mentor form. From there we will be able to connect through more private emails. It may take a few days before such connection takes place. Look forward to encouraging you in whatever way the Lord would have me.
http://powertochange.com/experience/talk-to-a-mentor/
Couldn’t agree more with you Pat Williams with Jim Denney . I was looking for a mentor to help me through the challenges of starting my own business, and I found this website where hundreds of mentors have joined to help mentees in almost all fields of life. You can also find mentors online for free here: http://findamentor.com. Search your mentor and start the discussion right away.
I’ve read the article and this inspired me so much to start finding my spitting image mentor of the ideas and skills I wish to have in the field of business, exactly fiance and entrepreneurship, I am a very social person. I just feel a need to raise higher with a group or team, through any ideas I am trying to convey, such as business approaches and ideas for products. I felt more enlightened through a entrepreneur and business person Tai lopez, though he has plenty of comers,I feel a small leap in that direction is more then enough. Thank you for your time in reading this.
to Toni and Davidson– I pray that you have been able to find a mentor to be mentored God be with you both and bless you– sharon
Newsletter 12/29/14 – Ask Michele Today, thank you for your “plug” of powertochange.com.
I am looking for a mentor for my 16 year old grandson ,he comes from an abusive home life,he has lost his mom due to domestic abuse,and doesn’t want to talk about it , he is a good young man who doesn’t like to hurt anyone,but has gotten in trouble for punching a classmate at school,involved in drugs,please if you can refer me to someone who can help him let me know,he is going down wrong path and I want him get back on the right.
Linda, have your grandson come to this site, and click on the Talk to a mentor icon at the top right of this page. He will be assigned a mentor who will be happy to discuss any issues he may have.
Hi.thanks alot for this, i really hope it gears meinto the right direction.
I also want to respond to Linda who posted about a son who witnesed domestic violence, please be in contact with me id like to offer my help.
I’m looking for a mentor to help me pull up my maths results I’m 16 and I’m in grade 10 I’m a leanner of East bank high in Alexandra please help
Bridgett, at the top right of this page there is a Talk to a mentor button. Click on that, and submit your request. A mentor will be assigned to you who will be happy to help in any way she can.
Afternoon, I am looking for a mentor that could help me be able to write my life story. All my life God has helped me out in my time of need. And now he has laid it on my heart ? to help the younger generation to keep them from making the same mistakes I once made. I am willing to, but I don’t how honestly, but that is why I am trying to find a mentor who has a relationship with God that can give me help,insight and direction please..I look forward to someone getting back to me.
Thank you,and have a blessed night..
. Sincerely,
. Rene’e
Hello, I am trying to find a mentor that can help me be able to write my entire life story. God has placed it in my heart in several different ways that this is what He wants me to do in hopes I can change some peoples lives.
All my life God has taken care of me from breaking the same foot over and over again and going to church and having the pastor pray over me and being able to walk out of the church. My addiction to crank and him releasing that from me,even to my cerebral brain hemorrhage in 1999,It was me who walked away from him, yet He never left my side,and for this I am so thankful and grateful for all His love he has shown me. I know he wants me to do this, He gave me quotes to direct me in the way he knew would help and teach me along this journey he has placed me on, I can’t let Him down… Please help me do what he has placed on my heart ? and mind… Thank you,
. Sincerely,
. Rene’e
Rene–
Have you spoken to your pastor regarding this idea? Have you found that relating your experiences has benefit others? If so, in what ways?
You need to be making this a concerted matter of prayer. If the Lord’s will is for you to write these things, he will supply you the means and method to do so.
Great article.I like where you advised that one can approach another for mentorship.Some articles on the net advise against that but personally I don’t see anything wrong in asking or trying.if someone is not willing to mentor another for whatever reason,that’s ok,but there are some who see it as an honour to mentor others and would like to be remembered for that.So mentees,always appreciate your mentors as you climb the ladder of your life;your dream come true.
Joey, thank you for your encouraging comments on this article. I agree with you that mentors can be a great blessing to those who so choose to have one.
Hi , I am a self-developing upcoming Successful entrepreneur. I am connected to a financially free couple that have been retired since their mid 20’s and they run a privately-owned free mentorship program where they teach you how to develop assets in business ownership. If interested, please email me [it is our policy not to publish personal contact information]. There is more to customizing your life than being dictated by an alarm clock. God Bless Hope to hear from you soon.
Hello i’m looking for a mentor that can help line up my goals, my awareness, principles and also help me take my current real estate business to the next level. i’m currently reading into Tai Lopez that has help get here, i’m also reading into grant car done, and Anthony robins.
First of all i would like to thank you and God bless you…right i am am still young at age….um afraid of a challenge i have a feelin that i will never get anthin of my choice always afraid of trying something new….i just wrote my exams and did lot of mistakes i thnk i will fail my dream of becoming a dentist will perish will….now belive God for my victory
I need someone who can take me through this journey of life…need that mentor who will help me to belive in myself and help me to achieve big things to stay focus and think big…to stop underestimating myself That person who will encourage and build my faith in God….I pray to find that mentor who will be a blessing to my life….to achieve my goals without fear…
Atang, we have mentors who are freely available to come alongside you in confidence and support you as you go forward. Just hit the “Talk to a Mentor” button on this page and someone will contact you by email. Meanwhile, years ago, Pierce Harris wrote in the Atlanta Journal something that I will pass it along because it might help you as well as others.
“The good Lord has a place for you in the scheme of things. That very thought, if accepted and acted upon, will make a man stand up to life. It encourages one to feel that he is not left out, but that in the plan of life there is a special part for him. (This is the message of Ephesians 2:10.)
You can find that place. The question is “How?” Study the Scriptures. Read biography. Dig into the lives of people who have “arrived” and you will see that it was mainly by knowing what were whistle stops and what were real destinations.
When you have found your place, don’t grumble if it is small. Discharge every duty as though the destiny of humanity depended on your faithfulness. Maybe you will never arrive at a large place as the world judges largeness.
Just remember these three simple facts. There is a place for you. If you try hard enough, you can find your place. And finally, if you will fill that place to the best of your ability, God will smile upon you and reward you for your work.”
May God bless your journey through life.