Choosing a Mentor

I realize that for a human being to be successful two things are always required, Her own desire to be excellent and a Mentor. And this combination varies person to person. In some, it’s solely the person’s own desire to learn the lessons and excel in what s/he is doing, which dominates to a level the need of a mentor for him/her. For such people, a mentor is someone who gives sheer boost to the excellence they already have. The desire to be excellent comes from within. A mentor comes after you get the desire and you sight a goal.

However, people seem to be carrying misconception about a mentor, and more in choosing one. It’s a bit worth to differentiate between idol and a mentor. An idol could be someone who has achieved a great feat in what s/he does but need not necessarily be able to guide you, nor you have ever met him/her. A mentor is someone who has achieved a decent success (may be not as heroic as your idol) and necessarily you can be in touch with him/her and ask for guidance time to time. Idol is more of an inspiration. Mentor shows you a path and teaches you how to walk the path.

I do have a mentor. Some might have more than one too. It is always good to have someone to guide you when s/he knows you for many years, have stayed with you for some time. Age, caste, gender should no more be a barrier in choosing a mentor.

First and foremost important thing for you to choose a mentor is that s/he should understand your language and your need, dream or goal. A mentor would be able to show you the path to reach your goal only when he visualizes your dream the way you want. And for him to have this power of a rational vision, he must hold that experience in the domain of your goal. I believe that His experience need not be counted only in terms of time duration. You should also see a mentor who have climbed at least two steps up the ladder to his goal. This, for him, certainly accumulates the experience to understand your goal.

The mentor you choose must definitely be good at his work. He must have passion for his work, commitment and dedication are the inherent characteristics of a person who is passionate for his work. Look for the recognition and appreciation that your guide has received at his workplace for it is the testimony of his success and excellence at what he does, and an inspiration for both of you.

The bond between you and your guide should have an equilibrium and continuity. That your mentor should be willing to guide you beyond his boundaries of geography, time constraints and hurdles you and he faces time and again. And also on your part you should be willing to accept his light shown and walk the path with a sustainable acceptance and energy, not to look back or step back because of any failure towards reaching the goal. Neither should you divert from your efforts and focus nor should you be irresponsible any way such that the mentor loses his interest in benefiting you of his skills. The only thing possibly happens in this is You lose!

And it’s very true that if you love what you do, you can do it at your best. So love what you do to reach your goal. Also do your own work, Keep Walking! Your guide can show you the path to reach your destination and show you the ways to reach there but certainly can not hold your hand and walk with you all the way. Your effort is all that counts. For people it is your success, not your mentor’s. For you it is the achievement for both, you and your guide. Do not forget to acknowledge your guide when you achieve what you wanted.

After all, do remember, all that you achieve and you have is temporary. It’s of no use to gain something and go to heaven without benefiting others. Someone next is going to be looking at you as a guide for him. Give all that you can to the generations to come. Because what we give to others is remembered and stays in the world for long time, even when we are gone.

Thoughts - I

A German once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, "Do you need two statues of the same idol?" "No," said the sculptor without looking up, "We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage." The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage. "Where is the damage?" he asked. "There is a scratch on the nose of the idol." said the sculptor, still busy with his work. "Where are you going to install the idol?"

The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high. "If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?" the gentleman asked. The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and said, "I will know it."

The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone else appreciates it or not. "Excellence" is a drive from inside, not outside. Excellence is not for someone else to notice but for your own satisfaction and efficiency".