Mentors & Vital Relationships

By Bill Farrel

Some people in your life are vital to your success and well-being.  These relationships need extra attention and deliberate effort.  You need to spend time with these people, plan activities with them, and look for ways to connect with them in order for these relationships to flourish.  Here are some areas of your personal team you may want to work on:



Family

• How much time do I want to spend talking with each family member?
• What do I want to do together with my family this year?
• Do I ask questions about what/how they are doing?
• Do I show respect for each family member?
• Do I know how to motivate each member of my family?

Friends

• Do I look out for their best interests?
• Do I encourage and support them?
• Am I choosing friends who look out for my best interests?
• Do I have a plan for staying connected with them?
• Do I give and take in activities we do together?

A mentor is "a wise and trusted counselor or teacher."  The best mentor is:

• Someone who is good at what you want to be good at
• Someone who is older than you
• Someone you are comfortable with
• Someone who has experienced more of life than you
• Someone living a healthy and productive life
• Someone you would consider a role model
• Someone you trust to steer you in the right direction if you are getting off track
• Someone you are willing to be accountable to
• Someone you can be honest with whether you're messing up or doing well
• Someone you can confide in