Courtesy of Sandra Maddox

Many people desire to accomplish significant goals, influence others, or make a positive change in the world. Just like your fingerprint is unique to you – so are your own God-given talents. However wanting to be successful is not enough. You have to go through a process to improve. Oftentimes this process takes patience, perseverance, hard work and intentionality.

Poet Archibald MacLeish remarked, “There’s only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience.” It is said that a wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes. But the wisest person of all learns from others’ successes.

There are many great books on personal development, achievement, leadership and success, yet reading a book is never enough to make a difference in your life. Whether you are working in the field of business, art, science, photography or medicine – having a seasoned mentor walk beside you with an experienced eye and skillful hand can be of great benefit to help you grow in your personal and professional development. Michael Hyatt is right when he says that people are always “tuning into WIIFM – What’s In It For Me?” Our human nature is always looking to our own interests first.

Well, this year, 4wordwomen.org has declared 2015 the “Year of the Mentor.” You might be saying to yourself “WIIFM?”

Courtesy of Sandra Maddox

Here are 5 benefits you may receive from a mentoring relationship:

1. Your knowledge, skills and expertise will increase. Every past success and failure you’ve experienced can be a valuable source of information and wisdom – if you choose to learn from them. Imagine having 20 additional years of wisdom without having to go through the emotional frustration, disappointment or heartache. Success teaches you what you’re capable of doing and gives you confidence. However, your failures often teach greater lessons. Histories greatest leaders obtained their ideas from many sources. An individual with more experience than you will know how to take steps to prevent disaster before it occurs. In the event that your business, career or family undergoes change, your mentor will (most likely) have already experienced something similar to this and have words of wisdom that can guide you in a time that feels stormy. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:9

2. You will be encouraged. It’s been said that this generation is the “lotto” generation – waiting for a wad of cash to fall from the sky. Yet in real life, great things grow with time, discipline and care. However just like it takes time for a seed to mature to a full plant and yield fruit, it also takes time for business to be built, relationships to grow, and character to develop. It’s natural to become disheartened while walking the journey, however mentoring is more relational than positional. Leadership expert John Maxwell says, “The best leaders know that leading people requires loving them!” A good mentor will encourage and inspire you to have confidence in your abilities.

3. You will be held accountable. “Accountability” is a scary word to so many people. Yet usually the people who are fearful of this word have something to hide or they are not serious. Addicts who struggle with life-threatening drug and alcohol dependencies understand the importance of accountability. They know that without the guidance, support and structure that their sponsor provides, the final cost could mean their life. Those who are serious about their recovery embrace accountability. They are eager to show their sponsor how many groups they attended. They proudly show others their AA coins of sobriety. They are happy to share with others their journey because they have worked hard to accomplish what they’ve done. If you’re serious about your own personal growth, and achieving your best, then you will welcome accountability into your life.

4. You have someone who tells you your blind spots. Without the help of mirrors, none of us could see the back of our head. In a similar way, we all have emotional, relational and vocational blind spots. The greater you develop yourself, the greater your abilities, productivity and influence will grow. Benjamin Disraeli, former British prime minister, wisely commented, “To be conscious that you are ignorant of the facts is a great step to knowledge.” When you recognize your lack of skill and begin the daily discipline of personal growth, exciting things begin to happen. Mentoring can help you grow in many areas including self discipline, clarity, focus, risk taking, fellowship, finances, generosity, health, priorities, family, attitude, your purpose, commitments, personal and professional development. As founding father Benjamin Franklin observed, “There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.” However the effort is worth the reward.

5. You yield a greater harvest. A mentoring relationship will help you discover and multiply your strengths. British poet and lexicographer Samuel Johnson said, “Almost every man works part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess.” Leadership expert John Maxwell understands the importance of encouraging people to start the process by discovering their strengths. He says, “People’s purpose in life is always connected to their giftedness.” The greater your natural ability, the greater your potential for improvement. I’m reminded of a basketball player who was able to jump with ease when I was in high school. He made it look so simple. It looked like he was floating through the air. The more he worked on his skills, the greater his height and distance. One day, when the gym was empty, I tried to imitate him. I’ll save you the pain. Obviously, I was not working in my strengths. This young man went onto have a full basketball college scholarship. I earned a scholarship too – but it wasn’t for my jumping. (*wink*).

People who reach their potential embrace reality, ask for honest feedback, admit to their weaknesses, invite “fresh eyes” to observe and inform them of their blind spots, make the necessary changes, and develop their strengths.

 A wise mentor can help you far more than merely your job; they can help you with your life. And that, dear friends, is the greatest benefit and blessing of having a mentor!

Warm Regards,

Christy Demetriades, Ph.D.

About the guest blogger:

Dr. Christy Demetriades has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology and a B.S. in Exercise/Sports Science from Vanguard University. She loves Jesus, has a heart for people and has dedicated her life to serving Him.