Finding experts in your industry willing to donate their time and energy to you is like finding liquid gold. Experts in your industry have accomplished things in their career that you aspire to accomplish as well. They pretty much know where you’re trying to go and know what you will need to help you get there. They can also be called “mentors”. Mentors help you avoid some of the same pitfalls they have made and share resources they wish they knew about when they were experiencing difficulties in their careers. Mentors are there to advise and to assist. They can lead you to the water (resources), but they can’t make you drink it.
But should you have a mentor? Let’s break down some of the key benefits!
1.They will always keep you ahead of your peers Because your mentor is someone who has already done what you’ve done,
they can show you how to make the most out of your current position. They can show you the areas you should be paying attention to while on the job, and things they wish they took advantage of while on the job (free education, free events, building the right relationships, etc.).
2. They’ll help you perfect your craft and examine your weaknesses
Some mentors in the beauty industry offer hands on training or always let you know about upcoming classes that will train you if they can’t.
Continuing your education is BIG in every industry (as I’ve mentioned so many times in my blogs lol). It keeps your eye sharp & your mind even sharper. A mentor should be able to examine you and your work. And you, you should be able to trust them to do that so they can point out things that you may have missed that are important that you don’t miss again, they can push you further in your weaker areas, & keep you sharp in your strong areas.
3. They’ll make sure “the bag is secured”
Having a mentor that has been where you are and is where you want to be is a big bonus. They can help you with job searches, what to ask in interviews, how to negotiate your pay, how to word what you want in a lingo that is both professional and persuading, and they may even be an instrument in you getting another job. Sometimes when we are so focused on one area of the industry, we don’t really look into what else we can possibly do until we get “bored” or “burnt out”. Mentors can expose you to other opportunities in your industry that you may have never taken a second look at.
4. They’re your personal cheerleader
Everything isn’t always rainbows and sunny skies, sometimes it’s a thunder and lightening storm and those can be very depressing! In your bad times, you need someone who will encourage you and lift your head up when you feel like there isn’t anything to look forward to. When things are going great, you need that person that will “fan out” for you, be happier for you than you are for yourself!
5. They help to filter choices
You always need somebody to talk you down from making rash decisions and help you to filter through opportunities that you may receive. When we are growing, we get anxious for everything! We want every opportunity. We want every client. Sometimes we’ll even take visibility over stability. You always need someone to grab your head out the clouds and make sure the money is right, you remain professional, & that you never settle for some bogus agreement some big name (person or brand) is trying to offer you.
6. They’ll keep you humble
As we grow, we often begin to “feel ourselves”. We love the taste of our success, we love seeing the fruits of our labor, and we love the feeling that “finally making it” brings. Being proud of yourself and enjoying the fruits of your label is wonderful, but sometimes we let that go to our heads and begin to act haughty. You should always keep someone beside you that gives you that friendly nudge to “get it together saweetie!” lol.
7. It will focus you
Sometimes we want to do so much and have so many ideas, but we don’t know where to start. Mentors help you to organize your goals and create a plan for you to optimize your career.
8. They are built in accountability partners
We often set goals and we don’t achieve them. We make plans & don’t follow through with them. We start a conversation about a project with someone & never follow up with them. Mentors help to hold your butt to the fire! They apply healthy pressure.
9. They are your “safe place” This is where you can be as vulnerable as you want to be in an interview but can’t. This is where you get to voice your truuuuee feelings about your boss/manager & not get fired. This is where you throw out ideas to get feedback & not think someone will “steal your stuff”. This is where you can vent about your last gig. This is where you can cry about “money being slow”. Your relationship with your mentor works amazing when you all have TRUST. If you have trust, you can be vulnerable & feel no shame. When you know someone has your back, you carry yourself different!
If you haven’t thought about having a mentor, now is your time to think about it. It’s not a must have, but it’s definitely something worth looking into. If you’re thinking about it but don’t know who to ask, think about someone in your industry that you admire & get inspired by. Think about someone who you admire their career & what they’ve done with it so far. Reach out to them! Ask if they are available to mentor, if not, ask who they may recommend. Also be clear about why you want a mentor & what you want to accomplish with your mentor. It’s very helpful to know the “why” because then your mentor can help you with the “how”.
Have you had a mentor? Share your experience below! Don’t forget to comment and follow the blog for a chance to win a gift!
Love, Peace, & Beauty!
ylps 
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