A mentor helps change our lives for the better. Whether it is a great teacher, a coach, a relative, a friend, a business associate, or a partner, they take a special interest in our development. A mentor is someone that takes our hand and guides us when we are lost. A mentor inspires us through words and actions. And most importantly, a mentor is someone whose judgment you can trust. The value of a mentor is that they help you grow. A good mentor has your back and knowing somebody has our back is what makes us feel more confident in life. This post is brought to you be State Farm but all opinions expressed are my own.
What are the benefits of having a mentor?
Mentors Offer Inspiration
People who have been blessed with a mentor in any area of their lives know that a mentor is a key to their success. A mentor does not do the work for you or hand you success on a platter but a mentor inspires you to succeed. Sometimes, that inspiration to succeed can be as simple is offering the example of success and showing a person it is possible. Sometimes, being a mentor can involve helping a person to dream big and helping them come up with reasonable goals that will help reach those dreams. Usually, a mentor helps inspire us in both of these ways at least to some degree.
In high school, I felt that my friends were my inadvertent mentors. They asked me if I was signing up to take the SATs. So I checked into it and signed up. They asked me whether I was studying. I started studying. They asked me what colleges I was thinking about attending. I started exploring my options. My friends inspired me to set goals as they set goals. I am thankful for such a good group of friends who were motivated and who encouraged each other’s success. (I am also thankful that they had parents who mentored them through the college process so they could mentor me!)
Mentors Provide Sound Judgment
Another wonderful thing about a truly good mentor is that you can trust their judgment. They are people with extensive knowledge on a subject, who can offer an objective opinion, and they are people who are not easily swayed by emotion when they give advice. Having a mentor to bounce ideas off or guide you when faced with a difficult decision is a wonderful gift. The value of a mentor truly is reflected in their sound judgement.
My grandmother was my first go to mentor. She knew so much about the world as she had such a variety of life experience. She was calm and understanding but she didn’t make excuses for me and she expected me to give my best at everything I did. When I was lost on the biggest decision of my life up until that point, I went to my grandmother for advice and when she gave me the advice, I knew she did so because she believed it was the best choice for me. Not because she wanted me to do it or because she thought I would like that answer the most, but because it was best for me. I trusted her and she was right.
Knowing Somebody Has Your Back
Having help matters – it makes a huge difference in your success. Wherever you are in your life, there are plenty of uncertain moments and knowing somebody has your back helps give you the confidence to keep moving forward in a better direction.
My first work mentor was an amazing woman who gave me helpful tips and who I could tell believed I would go far. It really gave me a sense of security to know I had someone with lots of knowledge and experience that I could go to for assistance when I needed it.
The value of a mentor is that they help you grow by suggesting new challenges and by supporting you through your development. Have you ever had a mentor? What was their biggest gift to you? Do you aspire to be a mentor for someone? What do you hope to share in your mentorship?
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Divina says
Your pictures are so so cute! Yes the value of a mentor is priceless and knowing you have this support just boosts your confidence and you are ready to take on the world!
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
There’s nothing like having a mentor- a person, or persons, that you can trust. My sister is my mentor. She’s my go-to for everything. Thanks for sharing this inspirational post.
Pilar Clark says
Mentors are made of nothing but win, and as you said, can be so transformative in the best way possible. My grandmother was my life guide, and through the years, I’ve learned to find her same qualities of life experience, honesty and trust within others. Great post!