So often when people dream, they hold an unsustainable perception that in order to successfully achieve their goal, they must become some form of perfect. This common misconception of needing to be the best of the best can be seen across all fields and even be applied when people are in search of a mentor. Indeed candidates for mentors are ideally ones that have experienced a high level of success, but keep in mind finding the right mentor for you weighs more in importance than finding one that is able to do anything. Consider these four traits when narrowing in on who you want to guide you.

They Practice What They Preach
When seeking out a mentor, their consistent behavior is equally as important as their achievements. Anyone can read a textbook, how-to guide, or job description to uncover the proper techniques and qualifications for a specific role. When it comes to health or career choices, people are well aware what the correct decision is, but have a tough time following the path that they must be on. In selecting a mentor, find individuals that are dedicated to their purpose and disciplined to the process. Seeing someone act in a way that you aspire to be will help you find your motivation. A mentor that is true in both their words and actions will be able to assist you in overcoming roadblocks on your path to success.

There Is A Balance of Success and Failures
Whether you relate to the idea that “the greatest successes stem from failure” or “The greatest lessons are learned in failure”, there’s no denying that a stifled attempt at success can teach you great deals. By no means should you support an individual that continues to putz around in faulty practices, but dig into a mentor’s past to see if they have stumbled and gotten back up. The ability to learn from your mistakes is a vital skill to have and will make you better in all that you do. People that have recovered from instances of failure will also have the compassion and encouraging words for when you stumble along in your journey.

You Want To Learn From And Inspire Each Other
While their knowledge may be more factual about what will work and what won’t, your mentor should have an open mind about the things that they can learn from you. You should inspire each other to learn and grow together as individuals. Industries and skills are constantly transforming to make jobs more efficient or daily processes more effective. Find a mentor that is comfortable with the idea that they can learn from you and one that gives off positive energy that you can both work off of.

They Know When To Push You
Another key benefit of having a quality mentor that is right for you is having someone to push you past hurdles. A good mentor will have your best interest at heart because they care about you as a person, but will know when to give you an extra nudge to move you up to the next goal. The right mentor will be able to accurately assess your emotions and abilities towards the task at hand and will be able to push past your comfort zone without tearing you down. Whether it be through verbal coaching for your spirit, or addressing different character traits you need to possess to reach your goal a mentor is not afraid to be hard on you when they can see that you are capable of defeating the current barrier you are facing.

Ultimately when finding a mentor, take a moment and think if they are someone you would like to resemble in the future. You should never aim to be just like another person, but if you can respect and admire the way your mentor goes about their daily life, then you have found the person to guide you.

If you yourself are looking to become a mentor and don’t know if you’re fit for it, check out our post Is There Such A Thing As A Perfect Mentor?