At times, you might be of the opinion that there is no mentor available in your area, which is a little hard to believe. There might not be a mentor to match your area completely, but you need to do a bit of searching. Throw in a work to your friends and family. You can easily bounce off ideas by conversing with friends and getting their feedback, which works as well as mentorship. There is an NGO called SCORE that provides free advice from professionals who have retired. You can connect with someone and gain some solid insights.
You can also find good mentors in service or networking organisations like your local Rotary club. These places have some great leaders and are all over the world.
If you have access to the Internet, you can attempt to find some mentors on special social networking websites like LinkedIn, Social media and various other groups, who have shrunk the world and have made connectivity so easy.
However, if you cannot find the kind of expertise and organisational-specific mentorship, then form your own. You can found an organisation and benefit people who share similar thoughts, ideas and passions. The various opportunities to brainstorm, engage in enlightening discussions and interexchange of ideas would prove to be priceless.
When you do find a mentor that suits your background, and then do learn to be respectful of their time. Ensure that you are well prepared ahead of time and turn up for the meeting on time. In case, they have already asked you to prepare yourself on something, then does it including some personal background research work.
Engage with your mentor so that you make sure he feels appreciated. If you do not agree with any of his or her advice, then do not feel uncomfortable and put down. The best way out would be to send a handwritten note of appreciation and thank you and then find someone who would be able to inspire you and motivate you to achieve success.
Summary:
It is important to find the correct mentor and not while away your time with someone who might not be able to influence your career in a positive way. Just as it is difficult to find a sincere protégé, likewise it is equally difficult to find a mentor who is from a similar area and gels with you completely.
