We can all remember someone outside the walls of our homes that influenced our lives growing up. It may have been a teacher that took that extra time to help you excel with academics. It was possibly a coach that pushed you to become better then you thought you could be. A family relative could have been that listening ear that made you feel like you could conquer the world. We all need someone to look up too, whether we are old or young. For some, finding the right mentor has changed their lives and inspired greatness. Our peers are awesome, but sometimes it’s beneficial to hear from someone that has already been through similar experiences that we are facing. As a teen, we’ve grown up hearing our parents voice our whole lives, so not to discredit the impact parents have on their children, but sometimes it takes an outside voice to help break the communication wall with our teens.
Who makes a good mentor?
Expertize– A good mentor can be someone that has excelled in your field of interest, hobby, or personality traits that you want to develop. They have the ability to effectively teach and communicate the things that have worked for them.
Consistency– A mentor that is going to be committed to being available to you when you need it is critical.
Compassion– It’s important for a mentor to want to be there for you and believes in you. Find someone that will be encouraging as you learn and make mistakes.
Where do we find a mentor?
Look for people that have the things that you want or traits you want to develop. Ask questions, be a good listener, and learn what has worked for them that you can implement in your life. A mentor can come from athletics, neighbors, religious organizations, career interests, teachers, family, creative outlets, pretty much anywhere.
Some great community resources for Mentors can be found at:
Big Brother’s and Big Sisters
Mentoring.org
YMCA Reach and Rise Mentoring