I've been blessed to have amazing mentors, and I'll never forget my first one who met me (since I don't remember meeting her) when I was just a few months old as her second baby of her new childcare business. In addition to my parents, Mary Fulmore set the tone for nurturing relationships that I have garnered since I met her. She is kind, caring, and a fierce entrepreneur who has been loving and teaching children for over 35 years. By modeling the way, she reinforced the values of discipline, leadership, and a good work ethic that my parents had already established. After all this time, she's still my #1.
So, who are your mentors? Where are the inspirational powerhouses who pour into your life? What efforts have you made to connect with others who can help illuminate your path as you continue to discover and walk in your purpose?
Check out these stats about mentoring relationships from Guider, a company focused on mentoring and career development:
71% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs
Of those with a mentor, 97% say they are valuable
Yet only 37% of professionals have a mentor
89% of those who have been mentored will also go on to mentor others
I've heard mentoring relationships described as a three-way street. You should have someone who gives you something to aspire to (above); someone who is on your level, but there is a mutual benefit to help each other to grow (across); and someone coming up in the ranks who you can pour into (below).
Young professionals should prioritize developing relationships with mentors for personal and professional growth. My pastor often says, "Exposure breeds expansion", and mentors are gifts who can help to open your eyes to more than you'd learn on your own.
If you haven't found a mentor yet, that's okay -- just add this to your action items for 2022! You might consider starting by:
Finding someone who inspires you to be, do, and/or learn more in your field or area of passion OR
Identifying a personal or professional area of growth. Then, work to establish a relationship with a mentor who can help you to develop in that area.
When you approach someone for mentorship, be ready to explain your WHY. In other words, why should this person spend time with you, what do you hope to gain from the relationship, and...drum roll please...what can YOU offer?
That's right! Think about how you will also invest in the relationship -- even if it's simply a commitment of your time and full attention to cultivating a positive and fulfilling partnership.
Young professionals are the NOW generation that is destined to lead and change the world. Connect with a mentor to catapult your growth to the next level as he or she continues to inspire you to live richly every day.
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ALL TRUE