How Mentors Can Help You Develop Confidence and Self-Worth
Sometimes you need the right push to get you to where you want to go, and a mentor might be just the thing. Mentors can play a pretty big role in our lives, whether in our careers, in education, or even through offering emotional support.
The right mentor will go well beyond just giving you occasional advice. Many of us today struggle to take on new career challenges for instance, trusting in outdated processes of advancement that often don't pan out; a mentor will inspire you to more actively pursue greener pastures. Similarly, lots of us struggle with general self-confidence, turning to everything from fitness apps to scheduling tools to try to get a handle on our day-to-day wellness; mentors will provide more personal inspiration regarding how to thrive. The list of specific benefits could go on and on. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the general importance of good mentorship, and how you can get it:
A Mentor’s Role in Building Confidence and Self-Worth
Billionaire Bill Gates is seen as an entrepreneurial success story, and a lot of that is thanks to the mentorship that he received from Berkshire Hathaway CEO and investment guru Warren Buffet. Buffet, for his part, was mentored by another legendary investor, Benjamin Graham.
These two business leaders have acknowledge that their mentorship and their professional relationships helped them develop the skills necessary to succeed in their respective fields. Specifically, the mentorship Gates and Buffet received helped them address base issues and increase their confidence and expertise in their own work. The results are hard to argue with: two iconic businessmen who are resilient, creative, and well respected in their fields.
No matter what your path or goals, a good mentor can provide you with feedback and guidance on significant life decisions, and give you advice when you stumble. Experienced mentors will also know how to assess and maximize your potential. This assistance tends to lead to greater self-confidence, which in turn produces mounting successes.
How Can You Find a Good Mentor?
Identify your goals
While many individuals are capable of becoming good mentors, you need to work with someone who's capable of helping you reach your dreams. Thus, it’s critical that you define your own goals in order to determine who to turn to for mentorship and advice. If you don't have a specific goal in mind yet, just thinking of broader aspirations like building your confidence, advancing in your career, or feeling more comfortable in your skin is usually enough to help you narrow down your choices.
Check if a mentor candidate aligns with your goals
Once you’ve identified your goals, look for mentors that have qualifications that match your specific needs. For instance, if you want general life and career advice, try seeking out a mentor that has a background in liberal arts. This multidisciplinary educational background ensures that your mentor can negotiate, lead, and nurture in a professional setting, all of which can help you toward career success. Similarly, if you want to boost your confidence and body image, you should look for a mentor with a background in fitness and heath education, who is equipped to help you build a healthier approach to your fitness.
Commit to a mentor who drives your growth
Once you’ve assessed your personal goals as well as your mentor candidates’ qualifications, you have to commit to a professional that brings the best out of you. Mentorship programs will lead you towards success, but the path to personal development can be challenging and frustrating. Our article on success emphasizes that having a coach who provides a sense of safety and deep support is crucial, so that you can embrace growing pains and achieve full transformation. By engaging with a mentor that motivates you to create change and keeps things positive, you can find the drive to push past barriers and achieve your goals.
With guidance from the right mentor, there's pretty much nothing you won't be able to do or achieve. This kind of relationship will help you to build your confidence bit by bit, because you know that there's always someone who's willing to put in the work to help you become the best version of yourself. So if you think that this is the push that you need in your life, identify your personal objectives and look for qualified mentors aligned with your goals. As a certified intuitive eating and body image coach, Katelyn Parsons can help you listen to your body and love your own self. With her guidance and support, you can eventually develop deep body trust and feel confident in your own skin.
Submitted by Ava Abigail for katelynparsons.com