Picture yourself at 1 AM, searching through hundreds of YouTube videos and related links for the most sensible answers to your life questions. The truth is that you won’t find what you’re looking for. No online tutorial can give you what a real life mentor can offer. Online tutorials may be helpful, but that mentor-mentee relationship sets you up for a lifelong relationship that will keep you learning.

Now, I know you’re thinking, ‘how do I find that one mentor for everything in my life?’ Instead of expecting to learn everything from one person, figure out how to take away a life lesson from everyone. Don’t limit yourself to one mentor.

What Kind of mentors do I need?

The Innovator

When you have an idea, this is the mentor you want to run it by. They are creative, can think quickly on their feet, and will give you a unique perspective. Looking for a collective of people to call mentors can be hard sometimes, but don’t get discouraged. Use the resources you have access to; ask people in your field what they did, and take pride in a simple google search for the kind of mentor you need, who knows the mentor might just be a block away. Find mentors who aren’t just going to tell us what to do, but who have gone through it themselves and can give the best advice for our own situation!

The Networker

Your nerves may get the best of you when it comes to attending networking events or even talking to accomplished people during a regular day. Take a deep breath and find someone who can teach you the ropes of connecting with new people. Your mentors network may end up being your most valuable group of contacts. And just because this may be true, don’t allow your mentor to do all of the work, just see them as an example to follow. Build your own excel sheet and begin to enter the names, contact information and position of every person you interact with on a professional level. Now that’s a great key to networking!

The Challenger

As much as we may not always enjoy it, sometimes we need that extra push to work better and smarter. When you’re working towards a goal, there is always another person who may be working twice as hard as you. You’re never going to be done creating the best you. Having a mentor that will challenge you will teach you how to ask and answer important questions of why you’re doing something, how you are going to effectively complete the job and what tools you need to do so. You may be surprised, but the challenger is usually right in your family as an older sibling or cousin. Don’t underestimate the help they can give you!

The Ally

It’s like having someone sit front row at every major milestone in your life. The path to be successful may not have you waking up with a smile on your face every day. Having a mentor that is your personal cheerleader will show you that quitting in certain circumstances is not an option. My personal ally is my Mum Rev Mrs Bernice Oye. No matter what obstacles I face, she is always there to build me up and cheer me on so that I don’t become stagnant. They know that you’re capable of winning and want you to understand that you were born to lead and succeed. The obstacles you will overcome are really the key to thriving.

And Finally, in all you getting, get a good mentor do have a blessed day.