the mentorship masterplan
build life according to your own expectations based on what truly makes you happy!
All too often external influxes in the form of a general status quo, family or friends are trying to dictate our paths. But who is to say that their perception of our path is truly our path? I like to look at it this way: Everyone is marching to one drumbeat in formation, does this require me to walk the same direction though? The majority may say YES, but I like to disagree. What if your path is different? Try to entertain that thought for a second!
This is exactly where your individuality comes into play. Your goals are your goals and shall not be a replica of a certain status quo or a result of “keeping up with expectations”. The question I would like to raise when it comes to goal setting is: How high can you go?
any limitation on your goal is solely self-inflicted. be bold & level that goal up x10!
Mentors can be a source to diminish limitations, to empower and to stretch any goal. They provide us with a guidance, a “how to” blueprint and a push to dream big. Yet working with a mentor or having access to a mentor is not the easiest thing to achieve. Finding the right mentor and creating a long-term relationship with a mentor requires a 10-step process – which I refer to as the “Mentorship Masterplan” (MM):
- Define your goal using the SMART method.
- Break down the goal by industry and network.
- Make a shortlist of the “who do you know?”.
- Do your due diligence by researching the shortlist (LinkedIn, YouTube, Online Publications).
- Get connected with the mentor.
- Do your homework: Develop your value proposition for a possible exchange.
- Get that exchange with the mentor - digital coffees are the new normal!
- The exchange-aftermath: Listen, learn & duplicate, then execute with a sprinkle of YOU on top.
- Reaffirm the mentor’s value contribution to your goal by looping them in.
- Develop that long-term relationship based on a value exchange.
The Mentorship Masterplan outlines all the necessary steps to create a long-term relationship with a mentor who can help you to achieve any goal. Keep in mind that there are different mentors for different goals, for instance career goals and personal goals (exercise, mindset, faith, self-respect, self-love, or relationship). Over the course of the next weeks I will outline each of the 10 steps of the Mentorship Masterplan in detail.
step 1: define your goal using the SMART method
By definition a goal is the act of stating clearly what you want to achieve.
Today, we are enriching our goal by using the SMART method. Thus, making it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. Most likely you are familiar with this acronym, however have you ever fully implemented it when it comes to achieving your goal?
I once turned to Dr Greg Reid (Keynote speaker and Filmmaker) for advice on how to achieve a certain goal and he told me:
This notion undermines that whenever you have any goal it is important to make it as tangible as possible by backing it up with action. This is where the SMART method comes into play. Examples of SMART goals are:
a) Personal goal:
I am going to lose 3kg by August 2021 by working out three times a week using Pamela Reif’s HIIT workout video on Youtube.
b) Career goal:
I am going to get a Junior Product Manager role in Marketing at a leading Fortune 500 (put the desired companies down) by December 2021 by applying to 3 job postings on LinkedIn every Saturday over the next 3 months.
Both examples outline SMART goals that are backed by specific action steps. Presenting a SMART goal to your mentor will allow you to both engage in a dialogue on which steps are required to achieve your goal. This dialogue will be more enriched and together with your mentor you can now fine tune the actual steps that will allow you to achieve your goal faster.
identify possible goal opportunities & barriers!
It is paramount to be clear on your goal when approaching a mentor. Defining a SMART goal is the first step in the process, yet I encourage you to impress your mentor by already considering possible opportunities or challenges. This will put you in a positive light when exchanging with the mentor. To get started follow the “clean-sheet-method”:
Take a white piece of paper and create a mind map for your SMART goal. Putting the goal in a circle in the center of the sheet.
Note down every thought, question, idea, opportunity, or challenge that comes to your mind regarding the goal. Write it down surrounding the circle.
Once identifying the different opportunities or barriers connected to your goal try to think how to strengthen opportunities and to eliminate barriers. Bring these thoughts to your exchange with your mentor!
time to put your phone on airplane mode, to fly high on focus & to bring that goal on paper!
Being prepared is what makes you a true superstar when talking to a mentor. It is going to enable you to maximize the time at hand and to get exactly the answers that you need. You do not ever want to be unclear on your goal or unprepared when exchanging with a mentor!
by following the Mentorship Masterplan no conversation with a mentor is ever wasted.
Instead new levels of motivation and guidance will flourish and enable you to reach new heights when it comes to goal chasing. Next week, I will outline step 2 of the Mentorship Masterplan which will address how to break down your goal by industry and network!
Monday Minutes are my personal & independent reflections for inspirational purposes only. They are not professional career advice, they simply outline my experience & advice that has been shared with me and helped me personally.