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kravin · 03-06-2007, 02:35 AM

Now this is a tricky one, and I'm not sure whether there's a 'solution' in the sense that I'd like. But I thought I'd open up a discussion on finding a mentor and see what flows from it.

I, personally, have never had what I'd call a true mentor. My goals are bigger and require more pro-activity than those of others in my family and peer group, so although I've received advice or done my own research, I've never gotten the kind of guidance and resource of experience that a mentor could provide.

I have tried to think of what has limited me in my ability to find someone to mentor me, and I can see a few places I can improve:

Openness
I should talk more freely of my goals, successes, and failures. Attracting a more experienced person will require me to put myself out there a lot more. Who will offer their help to me if they don't know I need it?

Diversifying my social group
Most of my friends are young professionals or old friends from school, roughly around my own age (24). Although it's not necessarily true that age=experience=wisdom, I should try to break into circles consisting of people from other age groups. I could do this by strengthening the friendships I have with a few of my more experienced friends, or maybe even by joining some sort of professional association in the field I require guidance and begin meeting people cold. Obviously the point above about openness will apply here - meet new people and let them know about me and what I'm looking for.

ASK!
Ask people. Directly. Approach someone already in my social group and: 'I could really use some guidance in area X. Do you know of anyone who could help me out? You do? great! Could we maybe meet up next week for a chat?' This doesn't have to be a covert search.

Wow. I actually sat down at the start of this post to ask for advice from everyone else, but I think those three points above really highlight what's holding me back here.

Nevertheless, can anyone offer another perspective on this? Who has had success finding an awesome mentor? How did you find them? Who has relationships with multiple mentors for each domain of life they're working on? Who here already mentors people? How do you feel about relative strangers approaching you for advice and a long-term relationship of guidance?

If you you've got anything at all to say about the topic of mentoring - hit me with it!

03-06-2007, 02:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
kravin Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 10	How To Find A Mentor Now this is a tricky one, and I'm not sure whether there's a 'solution' in the sense that I'd like. But I thought I'd open up a discussion on finding a mentor and see what flows from it. I, personally, have never had what I'd call a true mentor. My goals are bigger and require more pro-activity than those of others in my family and peer group, so although I've received advice or done my own research, I've never gotten the kind of guidance and resource of experience that a mentor could provide. I have tried to think of what has limited me in my ability to find someone to mentor me, and I can see a few places I can improve: Openness I should talk more freely of my goals, successes, and failures. Attracting a more experienced person will require me to put myself out there a lot more. Who will offer their help to me if they don't know I need it? Diversifying my social group Most of my friends are young professionals or old friends from school, roughly around my own age (24). Although it's not necessarily true that age=experience=wisdom, I should try to break into circles consisting of people from other age groups. I could do this by strengthening the friendships I have with a few of my more experienced friends, or maybe even by joining some sort of professional association in the field I require guidance and begin meeting people cold. Obviously the point above about openness will apply here - meet new people and let them know about me and what I'm looking for. ASK! Ask people. Directly. Approach someone already in my social group and: 'I could really use some guidance in area X. Do you know of anyone who could help me out? You do? great! Could we maybe meet up next week for a chat?' This doesn't have to be a covert search. Wow. I actually sat down at the start of this post to ask for advice from everyone else, but I think those three points above really highlight what's holding me back here. Nevertheless, can anyone offer another perspective on this? Who has had success finding an awesome mentor? How did you find them? Who has relationships with multiple mentors for each domain of life they're working on? Who here already mentors people? How do you feel about relative strangers approaching you for advice and a long-term relationship of guidance? If you you've got anything at all to say about the topic of mentoring - hit me with it!