Experiencing burnout or feeling lost and stuck? Here's how mentoring can help!
Life will continue to be stressful, but sometimes it goes past a simple need for a breather. If you think you may be experiencing the feeling of being stuck or lost, know that you’re not alone and especially with this time of year it’s inevitable.
The reason for these feelings is you are mentally and physically exhausted, or underchallenged. We as humans are known to have stress and this is the underlying reason for most mental health issues. But that isn’t the problem, it is lack of motivation to continue, or the idea that you can not find a solution to a problem that has probably been on your mind for the whole year.
Such symptoms turn into what psychologists have deemed ‘burnout’, The term burnout was first devised by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974. When you feel burnout, these daily feelings:
begin to feel hopeless about their work environment
dread going to work
feel as if they’re “drowning” or barely able to keep their heads above water
develop a short temper
experience signs of depression
have trouble sleeping
often fantasize about leaving their jobs or having a different life
There is a long term solution………
Here is where a mentor can come in as they not only have an invested interest in your success, but have been there too. 97% of individuals with a mentor feel they are highly impactful and valuable. And it is not surprising that 79% of millennials view mentoring as a crucial aspect of having a successful career.
Mentors are a positive influence by definition. It takes a positive person and positive steps to make change in one’s life. But the idea of a mentor is to help you learn and grow by sharing their knowledge and wisdom with you. In this way, you can benefit from their experience without having to suffer the consequences of gaining that experience firsthand.
In other words, a mentor is someone that can see your vision through, guide you into achieving the steps for this vision, and then help you execute it.
Mentors need to have certain characteristics and after speaking to a few mentee’s, this is what I found they are looking for:
Willing to share their wisdom, knowledge, skills and expertise.
Had a positive outlook on life. “They helped me through tough times and showed me how to find the opportunity in the difficulties I was facing.”
Genuinely concerned about me and my success.
Really knew what they were doing. “I respected them for their knowledge and skills.”
Keep growing. All of my mentors were curious and inquisitive. Sometimes the roles were reversed. “They asked what I was reading, and then read the books themselves – so they could learn and we could discuss the ideas.”
Gave me direct, constructive feedback. “They held me to high standards. They congratulated me when I met their expectations. They corrected me when I failed to do so – but in a manner where I learned what not to do the next time.”
Were respected by their colleagues. People who are highly regarded in their field or company make the best mentors.
Sought out and valued the opinions of others. “My best mentor always told me to listen most carefully to the people with whom I disagreed – in that way I might learn something. And, he was right.”
Although having a mentor is not a new concept, it is more that people don’t believe they can find the results with a mentor, but even the most successful names you know have had them - Steve Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg, Christian Dior mentored Yves Saint-Laurent, and Sir Freddie Laker mentored Richard Branson.
Branson once said, ‘If you ask any successful business person, they will always have had a great mentor at some point along the road.’ - And he was right! Branson went to Laker during his struggles to get Virgin Atlantic up and running. ‘It’s always good to have a helping hand at the start. I wouldn’t have got anywhere in the airline industry without the mentorship of Sir Freddie Laker.’
So what do I do to find one?
Do some research in finding the mentor. At the moment, seek out someone who you can see has the success you want and ask them about a mentoring program that they can offer.
January is the best time to commit to an on-going mentor, and also the best time to reset all the things that you wanted to achieve in the New Year. Not a ‘New Years’ Resolution’ but more a strategy session about the things that you can do every month for the new year.
Starting 2023, I will be offering mentoring and coaching programs to help with your success or you are welcome to join my clubhouse or collective club group for a more chilled environment before you commit to something one on one.
For any questions and for more information, email me at chrissy@creativelittlesoul.com.au.