Finding a Mentor: Why its that important!

Working from home takes a lot of time, energy and commitment. It can also isolate you from the business world. We learn more than we realize in a standard office. We communicate with our peers, and learn about new techniques, new software, different thought patterns. These are things that are harder to come by when you work from home. They are not impossible to come by however, and that is where a mentor can help. Not only can a mentor teach you new things, they can also help you hone the skills you have. The purpose of a mentor is not to instruct you on right and wrong. You are not in school. The times of lectures and text books are behind you. A Mentor’s job is simply to guide you in your chosen path.

Choosing a mentor can be easy or difficult depending on what you want to learn and how you learn. It is likely that you know someone already that has something they can share with you. a Mentor will not be around forever. That which they have to share with you or teach you will take time, but at some point they will cease being your mentor and simply be your friend and/or peer. The best way to figure out where your next mentor is hiding is to brainstorm. Figure out what you know, what you want to know and who you know that might know those missing pieces. Is there someone else in your field of work who may have more experience than you that would be willing to share their story with you?

Should I pay a mentor? That depends entirely on your relationship with that person, the amount of time you want from them, and the type of knowledge you wish to gain from them. Each mentor is going to be different. Some you will pay for their time while others will be free. It is up to you and the person you choose to decide if payment is necessary and what that payment will be.

Where are the best places to look? That too depends on what you are looking for. If your looking for help with marketing and figuring out what works and what doesn’t than you want to look for a marketing expert. If on the other hand you are looking for help organizing and planning, than you want someone with event coordination, project management, and/or Administrative experience. There are places where all of these people come together, you just have to find them. A good place to start is your local church. Even if you are not a member, the church staff can and will help you find someone to answer your questions and guide you to the right mentor. Talk with current or former co-workers. What about your parents or siblings? Do they know or know someone else who might know what you want to know?

Do I need a professional Mentor? A professional mentor is someone who is trained to guide you in a certain direction. They can be extremely beneficial or a waste of money depending on what you are trying to achieve. By knowing what you are looking for you can evaluate if a professional mentor is right for you. Keep in mind that by using your own social network you could learn the same things the professional will teach you, but it could take twice as long and will most likely come from a variety of sources. Who you choose, what you pay, and how you learn are all things you must decide for yourself. Just as you cannot pay someone to learn for you, choosing a mentor must be your responsibility. More than just the information you seek, there must be an emotional compatibility between you and your mentor. You will not learn from someone you do not respect.

Mentors are extremely helpful in guiding and teaching those around them the things they know. These people are extremely precious and anyone lucky enough to have one knows that they are invalueable. Not just for the knowledge they impart but for how and why they do what they do. I hope everyone finds at least one mentor in their lifetime. Whether you are looking for a business mentor or a mothers advise. A mentor will be there to guide you!

I hope this is useful to all of you whether you work from home or not.

K