Once you determine who you know that has had success in your area of need, you have a list of contacts to approach for mentorship. Of equal or greater importance, however, is that they share your faith. If they are where you want to be or past it, that is a good sign. Mentorship is a partnership that is often long-term, so you want mentors that you can get along with personally as well as admire professionally. Remember to be mindful to consider mentors that reflect like-minded faith. A lot of times friends and mentors who have helped you in the past can suggest good resources for your next level of need. If you don’t know someone successful in that area, do research and find someone.
When you are looking for a mentor, look at two things: what you need them for and who you know that has done that work successfully. If you are experiencing continuous transitions like business startups, growth, and expansion, you probably need a mentor that can help guide you through all those changes over a lifetime. If you are experiencing a roadblock or needing to gain knowledge in a certain area you are stretching to, you probably need a mentor for a season. If what you are needing council on is just a few decisions, you may only need to consult someone in a few sessions. Mentorship length is determined by the need. But how do you tell the difference between needing mentorship for a moment, a season, or a lifetime? It is an act of wisdom to seek the wisdom of people with more experience and success in the areas that you are stepping into. I believe it is important to seek out mentorship for any major decisions or life changes in your life.
Jantzen Franklin, The Legacy Study Bible How To Know When You Need A Mentor You don’t just walk through any opened door. Group MentoringĪ single mentor is matched with a cohort of mentees.Įvery major decision of your life ought to be confirmed (through prayer and fasting, going to the Bible, talking to your spouse, getting counsel from your pastor, and talking with close Christian friends). Distance MentoringĪ mentoring relationship in which the two parties (or group) are in different locations.
Types of Mentoring Traditional One-on-one MentoringĪ mentee and mentor are matched, either through a program or on their own. Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be. It is about generations working together to glean wisdom that only time and experience can give you. It is the idea that one generation (often older) has something to teach or give to another (often younger).
Mentorship is available everywhere at every level from close friends who can give you free advice to paid memberships and hired professionals. There is nothing wrong with Googling how to do what you want to do, but at some point you need guidance specific to you. It will define the term, explain its purpose, tell you there are different types, and even advise about romance between mentors and mentees. If you ask Google about mentorship, you will get all kinds of results.