Now here’s the BIG question.

What Is a Mentor exactly anyway, and what do we look for when seeking one, right?

Firstly, please know that a mentor is not a counselor, they are a confidant.

They do not have to have all your answers, but they do need to be able to point you in the direction to find them if they do not know themselves.

One important note is that someone should seek out a Mentor of their own Sex, so that they may discuss like minded issues, and it is important to also understand that a mentor is not a therapist, they are there to guide you and offer direction, and not to be used as an emotional dumping ground of sorts.

They also should have one common denominator; they tell you what you “need” to hear, and not just what you “want” to hear. That is a sign of a fine mentor.

There is another avenue many people miss when seeking their council, and this would be referred to as (Virtual) mentoring.

These are the people that we do not interact with direct, but learn great wisdoms from all the same.

They can be found in the books we read, the audios we absorb, and the seminars we attend to better ourselves.

The secret is to take this information, and sit down with your personal guide and see how we may implement these principals into our current activities in order to gain results.

For, all the information is the world is useless unless it is applied.

This is where the power of personal mentorship really kicks in; and where we are tested of our true desires.

A great mentor will do something that few will ever do, they hold us accountable.

In life it has been said, “We are exactly where we choose to be.” 

So, they may ask “where are you now? Why did you let yourself get there? Do you want to be somewhere else? Are you willing to do what it takes to get there?”

When answered in a positive manner, a good mentor will assist to take you from where you are, to where you want to be.

Another form of Mentorship can be performed by us directly to create an epitome of a win win situation.

Say you worked in an Ice Cream store; you Love Ice cream don’t you? Who doesn’t? Well, you happen to like it more than most so you really get into your position.

When customers walk through the doors, you greet them with a smile, and welcome them into the shop; you know them by name and what they enjoy the most.

A few months go by and a new person is hired behind you. Even though they are green behind the ears, you take them under your wing and teach them the same “tricks of the Trade” you have developed, so that when guests walk through the door, you introduce them to your new protégé, and walk the new hire through the steps to create the patrons favorite treats.

Imagine now, this goes on for a while, and a new position opens up for a manager’s spot. Who do you think they would ask to fill this?

Why, you of course, because you have already demonstrated the necessary skills to be a leader, and more important, didn’t it feel great just to help someone else out and make them feel part of the team right from the beginning?

That my friend, Is the true Power of Mentorship and the reason for it’s success can be found in this little quote ~

“The greatest success we’ll know is helping others succeed and grow.”

At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, let me ask you.

What do you personally get more enjoyment from …your own success? Or helping others succeed around you?

Can you remember the look on your child’s face, when they rode that bike for the first time on their own? Or later on when they graduated from school?

More than likely, when we reflect back on events in our lives, our greatest feelings of pride will come from when other people make great strides around us, and not our own accomplishments at all.

Why? “Because the greatest success we’ll know is helping others succeed and grow”

Now that we have a full understanding of how this works in both directions, let me offer a little challenge.

Take a look around. Turn that activator system on and see what (or who) surrounds you.

Is there a Mentor waiting to guide you through life’s adventures, and even more important, are You the Mentor that someone else is seeking to take them to their own personal oasis?

Best wishes and what ever you do…..

Keep smilin’………..