Week 105

Positive post Sunday, February 17, 2019- Week 105. 

Do you have a mentor, an experienced and trusted adviser?  Virtually every successful leader I know has had one or more mentors help them navigate not only through their career but through their life.  I have been very fortunate to have had many mentors, some formal and others informal, over the course of my 35-year career.  I am grateful for the support, coaching and feedback I’ve received from each and every one of them.  I have also paid it forward by leading a mentoring program at work and creating one in the school of business at a local university.  I have also had the honor of mentoring several individuals throughout my career.  It is rewarding and uplifting to see those you have mentored grow professionally and advance their careers.

The value, benefits, and results of career mentoring programs has been well documented with many companies and institutions incorporating mentoring as an integral part of their leadership development programs.  So, if we see value and career growth from mentoring programs in the workplace, wouldn’t it make sense that we would also benefit from mentoring programs in our spiritual life?  Does your church offer a spiritual mentoring program?  If so, I encourage you to participate.  If not, why not start one or seek out a spiritual mentor to help you grow in your faith?  The benefit from a career mentor can be career advancement, the benefit from a spiritual mentor can be eternal life!

Here are a few questions to consider when selecting a spiritual mentor, one who will help you advance your vocation and relationship with God.

Do they share your beliefs and values?

Do you see them as Christlike, a true, humble servant of God you can learn from?

Do you feel closer to God when interacting with them?

Does their spirituality extend beyond church and into their daily lives?

Are they willing to invest the time and effort to mentor you?

Will they provide you thoughtful and meaningful feedback when you are succeeding or falling short of your spiritual goals?

I look forward to hearing about your spiritual mentoring experiences, and encourage you to consider being a spiritual mentor yourself.  You don’t have to be perfect, no human being is.  You just need to be willing to help others on their life journey to earn eternal life.  Many churches have programs to train you like this Catholic Spiritual Mentorship Program I found in Kansas City https://schooloffaith.com/spiritual-mentorship-1.

God Bless!