A recently study showed that people who had mentors throughout their development stages of life tend to make better decisions and also end up in more successful positions compared to people who don’t have mentors
The founder of Tammy Taylor Nails South Africa Melany Viljoen who was just announced as a cast member of The Real Housewives of PTA, believes that a mentor can take you closer to your best version of yourself if you make use of a mentor correctly. “I had mentors when I grew up and it inspired me to be better and do better, today I mentor a lot of young people especially young women because I want to see our women empowered, powerful and strong.” Says Mel
There are various types of mentorship and mentors out there so it’s important to choose the mentorship that is best for you. Some mentors will take you on as their designated mentor, they will set time aside time for you weekly or monthly and work with you on achieving your goals and dreams. Other mentorship that is available is more of a lighter form of mentorship, it is a once off mentorship or perhaps a mentor that will consult with you once in a while. Peer mentorship is another, it is a mentorship relationship where both parties have similar experience levels, offering advice to and learning from each other.
Power-women Melany Viljoen shares some of her tips on mentorship:
Anyone looking for a mentor should follow three best practices:
- Set clear goals and set realistic goals for yourself. Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve in life will help you reach these goals.
- When it comes to establishing a relationship with a mentor, try to approach it as if it’s a business friendship. Also, avoid making assumptions about your potential mentor’s personality.
- You may have a mentor within your network. These individuals can provide advice in various ways. It’s very important to establish a connection with them in order to grow.
It can be easy to get carried away by the amount of advice that your mentor provides you without giving anything in return. While it’s important that you ask for advice, it’s also important to show appreciation for your mentor by giving them something in return. It’s important to show your appreciation by valuing the time and advice that your mentor has given you. You can also make a meeting more convenient by arriving early or adjusting your schedule.
Just like how big companies have a board of directors you should get a board of mentors can help you reach your goals. No one can provide you with all the advice you need to achieve them, but they can help you in various ways. For instance, one person may be able to help you develop a strategy for managing your career, while another may be able to help you become a sponsor. There are no right or wrong mentors for every person as they progress through their careers. Having multiple mentors can help you keep up with the changes in your life and improve your skills. Even if your mentor’s term has already ended, they can still be a great resource to help you navigate through the various challenges that you’re going through.