I remember back in college a handful of professors were able to find a balance between pushing me to do be better and providing me with the knowledge necessary to achieve that goal. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a mentor right now! To push you and give the knowledge needed for you to succeed. Impossible you say! No really – it’s possible.

A few years ago I had the pleasure to meet someone who has greatly influenced who I am right now. He was giving a seminar that I was attending through work. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. He challenged me that day and I’ve never been the same. He pushed the right buttons in me and it forever altered my course in life.

Sure it was a chance moment in that everything came together. However, it is up to you to open your eyes and see it. And ultimately to take action.

A mentor can be a valuable guide on your journey.

Since that time I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with this person a handful of precious times. I’ve had a few interactions through email. He is an extremely busy man but yet our time together has really shaped who I am and who I’m trying to be.

Ok so you didn’t a have a chance experience and weren’t fortune enough to have a few follow up’s with someone. Let’s talk about what you can do.

• Internet – think you are alone? You are not. Search the web for groups/forums/blogs that have similar issues/concerns/goals that you do. Read that blog and subscribe to it. Join the forum. Find out who posts there the most and who seems to be the most respected.  Add to the discussion where you can. Ask smart questions.
• Read– Most great mentors have written something: a book, ebook or blog post. Read them!
• Look to your close friends or family– We sometimes forget that there are people around us that have known us for many years’ even decades. Open up – yeah it’s a little risky but you’ll know quickly if they can be of value to you in time of need. Maybe they just were struggling with this issue a few weeks ago and here’s how they handled it. Make a regular visit with them. Have an agenda but don’t’ keep it to rigid.
• Online Mastermind groups – The best thing is a face to face meeting however the technology to meet in the virtual world is simple and most anyone can do it.
• Look to other’s in your profession – If its career related getting a fresh perspective outside of your firm can be reveling. I would suggest making contact with the person a few times in a social setting. Perhaps you can make contact with them at a monthly professional meeting or at another event. Then ask them to coffee. Don’t take up a lot of their time, keep it brief and see what they have to say.

Don’t go it alone! There are far too many resources available today that you can use to make a virtual mentor for yourself.

Do you struggle with finding a mentor?