THE ART OF COMMUNICATING WITH A MENTOR

 ALL ABOUT BEING A MENTEE.

 

A Human’s life is approximately a few decades, half of which we spend educating ourselves in the guidance of our elders, teachers, guides and mentors; while we spend the rest

of our life in application of our education and putting our talent and potential in the practical and real

world. During this journey, we meet a few hundred people, a few familiar ones and a few strangers, but only some of them become our mentors. The word or definition of a mentor is often confused with teacher, guides and idols, however, the mentor has quite a different meaning from these other words.            

“Mentor is someone or something which helps us get answers to our questions, inspires us in finding answers and guides and channelizes our potential and talent on the right path”. A mentor can be a teacher, guide or idol also but it's not necessary. Sometimes a book can be a mentor, sometimes a family member or near friend can act as a mentor.

During our life as a human, our needs are dynamic and require different kinds and degrees of mentorship. At school, as kids, we need a mentor who can dig deep into our realms and find our talents, someone who can answer our curious questions with patience and appreciate our efforts. As we grow up during our years of young adolescence and teenage phases, we need to understand our confusion and uncertainty about the world and help us put our energy and potential in the right path. And then later we need mentors who can teach us different things and guide us at different times in life. This mentor can be one person, or multiple people multiple times according to the phase, difficulty, and times. Sometimes it can be a person who can be successful in doing something that you intend to do and  it can also be someone who knows more than you only regarding something specific. It could be someone from the outside world and it can also be yourself.

As Students, we face lots of problems which include Pressure, Fear and confusion regarding the future, the uncertainty of achievement, anxiety, adaptability to change, and many things that are making us take extreme steps in life. And when keenly observed all these problems have a common root cause lack of communication.

 As students when we encounter a question generally or an issue precisely, we often try to seek guidance from one who already experienced either the same or the similar kind of problem in Reality. For example, if we intend to learn cooking, we will initially seek guidance from our mother. If we want to learn financial planning, we will initially seek advice from our father who dealt with it already.. 

Likewise, we must learn to openly communicate our needs and ask for help and guidance from people who can mentor us.

During this process, we must remember that Asking Questions is not a sin, instead of a golden rule that needs to be followed.

Experience the Art of Asking Questions to know which you do not know and what you can learn.

The more you Experiment, the more you can Experience.

"He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a student; teach him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; Wake him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is Wise; Follow him." _Arabian Quote.

As a student, I have always been open to my teachers more when compared to my friends, I have never shied away from asking questions and expressing my needs and concerns. Whether it was regarding a subject, general or specific or even miscellaneous questions about life. I always took the initiative to communicate with them about what I need or what I have a problem with, which allowed them to understand me and my requirements as a student and as a person, since then they have always mentored me when I needed their guidance, whether it was personal or professional they guided me. They helped me find solutions to my problems.

While seeking mentorship, the essential skill is to communicate with the mentor properly; it is a crucial skill that needs to be learned to earn a mentor's trust.

Given the date and time, Motivation is in everything around. All that a student requires to do is to seek it, see it, and learn from it. 

Yes, I am trying to remind you of movies and Fiction. The Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, The Ironman, Dr. Strange, Batman and Luke Skywalker from Star Wars as characters had their mentors who curved them into what they are. 

And finally, a Bollywood Film by Amir Khan "Taare Zameen Par" also showed us the critical role played by a mentor in the life of a person to bring the Confidence to pursue his talents. 

Like Ishaan, are we ready to trust our teachers and Act accordingly in search of our dreams?... The answer is a big NO. Why should we? How come it helps?... Many things keep pondering our Brains, Right?..we have so many questions and stubborn resistance.  

So, Let's see How to communicate with our mentors,

1. Be True while stating your Fear in front of your mentors. ( Ishaan was a nine years old kid his teacher found the problem himself and Guided him, but it is not always possible that a mentor will take the first step, you must communicate that you need their help)

2. Respect and Trust your mentors, but try as much to question them if you are not sure because remember they are humans too and can make mistakes due to personal bias. (we can see the bond Ishaan cultivated with his mentor, we saw the respect and trust)

3. Remember, mentors, observe every mentee's Behaviour, which gives them an Impression. (if Ishaan would hide his flaws and negative aspects by being silent about the difficulties he would have never received any help)

Lao Tzu One Said, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, The teacher will Disappear".

  Let's be optimistic to see opportunity in every Adversity to get what we Dream and Desire to be the Educated Individuals of our Nation. As the saying goes,

"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."

– Malcolm X