In our life as humans, we realize sometimes a little too late the importance of having people we can look up to. For me, I have 3 elder brothers and 2 amazing parents, so I always had people to look up to.
Beyond my immediate family however, I was taught the importance of interacting with people who are older than me. This shaped me and helped me mature mentally quite early just as the popular saying goes
“Show me your friends and I would show you who you are”.
As I have grown over the years, I have realized, I wouldn’t be where I am if I did not have these peoplearound me who were constantly pushing me, believing in me and helping me see life from a perspective different from mine.
Everyone needs a mentor. We sometimes have the Idea that a mentor has to be super close to us. That’s not true. A mentor doesn’t have to be so close. He or She could be someone whom you admire from afar. One of those people for me would be Jumoke Adenowo. A successful woman with a love for God, class, style and who is able to maintain a work life balance. I do not know her, but I draw from her wealth of wisdom.
Question: What do you look for in a mentor? How does your mentors values align with yours?
I have a Career mentor whom I speak to regularly. What these kind of mentors do for you is to make you accountable. When you remember you have to report to them the next week, you start thinking of things you can do to ensure you are better than the last time you spoke. This mentor also makes me accountable academically hence I find the need to make my grades good. While he is Cyber security expert and I am a Data Scientist, It helps me learn about his field and he learns about mine.
Question: How can you be of value to your mentor? How can he/she learn from you?
Mentorship isn’t a one way relationship. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. With my mentorship experiences, you see I have mentors in various areas of life. Spiritual, Career, Life,
Marital, etc.
Hint: What areas of your life do you want to experience growth? Get a Mentor
Please be aware that the role of a mentor would be futile if you are not disciplined and ready to learn.
While a Mentor can make you accountable and help you see bigger dreams, it is YOUR duty to accept the challenge and be willing to be better.
You hear people say having a mentor helps you develop new skills. That doesn’t happen except you decide to be an asset to your mentor and ask questions or offer suggestions as to how you can be of help to them. Remember, most times, mentors are busy people. Help them see that you are going to be worth their investment in you.
A Mentor plays a great role in helping you all through life, but remember, the majority of the work starts
with YOU.
Go forth and have a great Mentor-Mentee relationship
It starts with you.
Written By:
Oluwaseyitan Awojobi
