If you’ve ever hiked up a mountain, it is no easy endeavor. There are easy parts and there are hard parts. Storms can pop up from time to time. Times of fun and times where you are challenged. But if you stick it out, the view is almost worth the struggle it took to get there.
One thing I know to be true about climbing a mountain is it is always easier when you do it with other people.
People can pick you up when you fall down. Can encourage you when you get tired. Can celebrate with you when you hit a check point. People who can champion you to do what you set out to do.
The same is true with mentoring. It’s always better when you do it with other people.
Mentoring alone is very difficult. Why? Because often times the “wins” in mentoring are few and far between. I have found that most mentors experience discouragement at some point in their mentoring journey.
And when discouragement hits, it’s usually downhill from there. A typical pattern may look something like this.
Get discouraged.
Start believing this isn’t working
Negative outlook or bad attitude
Stop pursuing
Relationship dissolves
But mentoring is all about persevering. It’s all about continuing to show up over and over and over. It’s about, like Jesus with us, overcoming the hard and being there for your mentee no matter what.
When you begin mentoring, it’s always a good idea to surround yourself with people who can help you on your mentoring journey.
Here are some potential key members of your mentoring tribe.
Organization (Church / non-profit / school)
Family
Friends
Your tribe can:
Just like climbing a mountain, or going on any journey, is better with a tribe of people, mentoring for the long haul is easier when you are surrounded by people who love you and who are for you.
So find your tribe. Be open about your mentoring needs, opportunities, struggles, and victories. Share the load and allow others to hold your arms up when you get tired.
Mentoring is always better with other people.
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