According to the Greeks, the goddess Athene liked to travel down to Earth, disguised as a man named “Mentor” to advise the young son of Ulysses.  Similarly,  mentors help guide and encourage younger people.

These mentors can encourage you, motivate you and, in general, inspire you to go to places you could not have traveled to alone.

 Most of us know how to find mentors…whether a family friend, teacher, or a first boss.  The usual approach is to ask the person, “will you help me in my job, career?  I would like to have someone to give me advice.”

This is normal…and the hardest.

Instead, create mental mentors for yourself.  The more, the merrier.  Simply recognize attributes and characteristics that you like in people–someone who is calm when everyone else is in panic mode;someone who obviously likes and respects the worker at the bottom, someone who has a glass is always full outlook, someone who never swears, etc.

And then, resolve to be more like that person.  Don’t just admire them or say something like I wish I could be more like Jim or Jane.   Create a vision of this person, and be specific…what they do, the attitudes, characteristics of that person,…and, start acting more like that person.

I think this might be the best predictor of success for someone new to the workforce.  A great interview question could be “Tell me who your mentors are and what you have learned from them?” 

And then, once you have become successful or have successfully modeled that behavior, be sure to tell that mental mentor that you have used them in this way.  What a thrill that would bring, i am sure.