We all need a good mentor, particularly in challenging times. Here's why?
Positive Minds | Positive Stories | Edition 019
Sometimes in life, we are confronted with situations that seem beyond our control, making us feel like victims cannot react to set things right. In such situations, an outstretched hand often remains a saving hand.
Leonide is a very brilliant young professional. He started his career in the development sector and, within a few years, he rose through the ranks to hold senior management positions. From the outset, he wanted to experience expatriation and grabbed the first opportunity that came his way. Everything seemed to go smoothly for him until early last year when he was dismissed. If his dismissal had followed the rules, Leonide would not have been so affected. Not only was his dismissal not based on strong proof of misconduct, but it also seriously damaged Leonide's dignity. It was too much for him to handle. Furious and desperate, he picked up the phone and contacted his mentor, Georges, about his misfortune. Georges listened to him religiously, and after he had followed Leonid in the hollow of the wave in which he found himself, he suggested that they talk to each other again the following day. By then, Leonid would calm down and ready for a conversation devoid of emotion.
When they spoke again, George shared with Leonid four seeds of wisdom with the potential to help anyone in Leonid's situation to bounce back and get back on track. Here they are:
Everything that happens to us in life happens for a good reason: it allows us to do some deep introspection, to find out what is wrong, to make the right decisions and to act accordingly. Such a process helps us to improve ourselves.
The loss of a job is indeed painful because it means no income and therefore, a risk of short-term insecurity. However, if you manage to overcome the panic it may create, you can take effective action and bounce back. To do so, you must:
First, conduct a self-assessment to determine your current strengths and weaknesses. Knowing them will help you know whether you lack specific skills to succeed on the path you are now taking, i.e., re-enter the labour market or become an entrepreneur.
Second, create an action plan and focus on its implementation. The plan should include taking steps to turn your weaknesses into additional strengths while working towards your next career goal.
Third, don't procrastinate until you have achieved your goal.
To achieve the above without failing, find someone you can trust, who believes in your potential and commit to being accountable to him or her. Once you have defined your goal and turned it into a plan, share it with that person. He or she will periodically review your progress with you and push you to make extra efforts when you are tempted to give up
As you progress towards your goal, take time to celebrate small successes.
Leonid adhered strictly to the above recommendations. He told me that the exercise was painful but that he had succeeded in finding another job and took up his position a few months ago. "What did you learn from this experience", I asked him.
Here is his answer:
"You cannot climb to the top of the mountain of life by relying solely on your own strengths. Before you begin such a journey, you need to find a good mentor, someone who can see in you what you are not able to see yourself, someone who can challenge you to do more than you believe you can achieve, someone you can lean on when life gets tough on you. Find a good mentor and be humble enough to accept to be guided".
