You feel confused and alone. You find it hard to set or achieve goals. It is time to find a mentor to unleash your full potential or become a better version of yourself.
But as a mentee, you also have things to do to make sure your relationship gets off to a perfect start.
If you have not been a mentee before, you do not know how to start for sure. In this guide, we present the top 10 best practices you should weigh in mind and follow. Let’s begin!
1. Strive to Turn Every Learning Goal into a Reality
Studies have confirmed that only 20% of the population set goals. What’s surprising is that 70% fail to make their objectives happen, and lack of focus is the culprit.
A bad habit is difficult to correct. But it is possible to become the person you envision with a mentor. Your journey, however, will not be as simple as you imagine. It will be a long road, and you may lose your focus or forget your goal along the way. The trick is to get rid of distractions, be more mindful, and make a to-do list.
2. Share What You Are Going Thru and Be Honest
Mentors specialize in unleashing people’s full potential, strengthen their weaknesses, and improve their capabilities.
Mentors, however, are not mind-readers, remember. Prepare yourself to ask for what you need. They are more than willing to share everything they know to help, so there’s nothing to feel afraid of and pressured about.
The pressure is always there. It is part of the process, and you will get used to it as time goes by. If you are afraid, think of the brighter future ahead to improve your motivation.
3. Create SMART Objectives
You want to have a productive career, excel in a highly competitive workplace environment, and be an inspiration to others.
But where to start? Creating SMART objectives will help you beat the odds and make your dreams happen.
Many people believe setting goals is simple. But as they take their goal setting journey, they encounter some trouble.
But what is a smart goal anyway? Well, it must be specific, measurable, result-oriented, and time-bound. Any unclear purpose can lead to a poor result. So, it is vital to set goals properly and effectively.
If you experience a hard time, tell your mentors.
4. Be Open and Authentic
You are an independent and strong person. You do everything on your own and are not open to criticism.
Do not be like that. There’s more to learn than you know. Perhaps, you feel quite ashamed to be vulnerable in front of another person. There is nothing wrong with being open, honest, and authentic.
Also, be willing to show your weak side and expect a significant difference in your professional growth and personal development.
Do not pretend that you know everything. Remember that nobody’s perfect.
5. Get Everything Done Before Any Mentoring Session
Mentees usually do not prepare what they need until the actual day of mentoring sessions. Understandably, you have a busy schedule. But the failure of getting what you have to prepare ahead of time can make your life even more complicated than you have imagined.
But when you get everything done before any meeting, you can make the process efficient and seamless. You will save your time and achieve a more meaningful learning.
Although it takes a lot of effort to get ready for every mentoring session, it will be worth it.
6. Stay Connected with Your Mentor
It is also important to stay connected with your mentor. Before, you needed to use smoke signals or pigeon post to communicate.
Things are different today. With the advancement of technology, we can connect and communicate with our mentor thru instant messaging applications.
Popular options include Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Viber, Line, and more. You have a lot of options to pick from, making communication effortless and stress-free.
If you find them tricky to use, the text messaging platform on your phone is a good substitute.
If you have something to ask or verify, your mentor will be ready to accommodate your concerns.
7. Go Out of Your Comfort Zone
You have tried many attempts to take risks and go out of your comfort zone, but you failed.
Maybe, you are afraid to try something new and explore what you can do. A mentor can come into play. But it will not be easy. Expect your mentor to provide you with various learning opportunities that will make you uncomfortable. So, brace yourself for experiencing things you have never tried before. Be brave, and you will get there.
8. Ask for Feedback and Be Open for Constructive Criticisms
It hurts to receive any constructive criticism. But it is how we improve as a person and professional.
Every time you receive candid feedback, reflect on what you can do to change your performance. It is all right if you fail a thousand times. What matters the most is that you learn from it.
By being open to any criticism, you get more learning opportunities, reach new people, and see things differently.
9. Stay Focused on Your Future
A lousy past does not mean a dire future. Yes, you failed in the past. But that does not mean you will commit the same mistake in the future.
What do you want to achieve? What are your goals? What profession do you like to practice? Envision what you want to be in the future.
Then, tell your mentors about it to help you create and customize strategies that best suit your unique requirements.
You will get distracted along the way. But try to stay focused.
10. Take Down Notes
Research has shown that we forget at least 50% of the information presented within an hour. After a day, we only remember 30% data. Yes, we are forgetful, and creating a journal is essential.
During conversations with your mentor, take down what you learn on your notes. You can also include your questions and insights there to increase your learning and retention.
We hope this helps you throughout your experience. If you have something to add, let us know!
