Teach Middle East Magazine Issue 1 Volume 3 Sep-Oct 2015 | Page 53

Personal Development Why every teacher needs a mentor and how to choose one By Maryann Reid D ays filled with demanding schedules leave little room for daydreams or sorting out personal goals. One by one, we see the months pass, as we get older with each year. You may also realize that ideas which worked one year, may not work the next. Confusion abounds when we don’t have a plan, a strategy, a way to thrive; not just survive. The best teachers have a plan for their career or second life. They know, like their students that they can’t do it alone. They need someone to provide them with the structure, guidance, and blueprint to get what they need accomplished. Just because a teacher can do this for his/her students, does not mean he/she knows how to do it for himself/herself. A mentor is great at stepping in to help you brainstorm, plan, and strategise next steps to write a book, start a nonprofit, keep you focused on financial goals, give advice, and plant the seeds with you along the way. Choosing the right mentor can transform your mindset, income level, self-confidence and social status. Here are a few tips to guide you in choosing the right mentor: • Avoid choosing friends as mentors, as critical advice can challenge your friendship. • Choose a professional you have worked with in the past, or would like to work with in the future. • Research the movers and shakers in your organisation or city, and get to know them. • Attend events that are high profile and shake hands with decision makers, often. • Do not ask anyone to be your mentor, offer value first–give before you get. Choosing the right mentor takes time if you are doing the research on your own. If you are a person who listens to your gut, you’ll find one sooner. Read books, magazines, and track down your favourite thought leaders, and contact them. LinkedIn, the local Chamber of Commerce, professional associations, former teachers, and leaders in your organisation are the best places to find a mentor. Pick someone who is in line with your spiritual beliefs and personal values. Interview them, research them and listen to them. Oftentimes, mentors will not do the work. The work is up to you, and you must implement what you learn and the advice you are given. You must still get your hands dirty to take control of your life, and demand the best results from yourself. This is a process that takes work, and even the strongest minds find it challenging to be consistent. A good mentor makes sure you stay consistent. You are only as good as your last class. To remain exceptional as a person, not just a teacher, you need to constantly evolve outside of your social circle, and comfort zone. It is there where you find yourself. Maryann Reid, bestselling author and personal coach, shows teachers how to practice extreme self-care and launch their goals. She can be reached at www.maryannreidinc.com.