By Shane Svorec
In today’s digital and virtual world, highlight reels depict lavish lifestyles, high-powered positions, and symbols of wealth to which one can aspire. It looks so easy and attainable. However, the instruction manual outlining how to achieve it is usually missing. This is because there is no one way to achieve success; success means different things to different people. Secondly, not everyone begins at the same starting point. For young people who have become voyeuristic consumers of sexy clips and appealing ways of life, these snapshots of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” are not always realistic, accurate, or achievable. That is, not without some solid guidance, wisdom, or experience.
Multiple Avenues to Inspire
Mentorship is a relationship between two people where one person with more experience, knowledge, and resources (mentor) can pass along what they have learned to another (mentee). This practice has existed since the beginning of time, with many early examples of mentoring found in the Bible. In Greek mythology, “Mentor” was a friend of Odysseus entrusted to guide his son when he left for the Trojan War. The advantages of mentoring have been proven beneficial throughout time and across generations, but it has also evolved into many different definitions and examples.
With so much focus on education, secondary degrees, financial wealth, and the alluring appeal of promised futures with big companies, the practice of mentorship varies drastically and delivers diverse results. Some mentors are specific to achieving particular life goals and desired positions, but we often overlook the mentor who inspires and encourages us to discover our why. These are the mentors who provide intangible rewards and benefits. This is because a successful mentor should be someone you can relate to, admire, and trust. They have your best interests and future goals at heart. Should you think about a person who has been a role model to you in your life, it probably wouldn’t be a celebrity or superstar athlete but an ordinary person doing extraordinary things. The person is often a grandparent, a teacher, a colleague, or simply a kind, altruistic individual willing to share their wealth of wisdom and demonstrate achievable success for real people. They are the mentors who aren’t hired and don’t get paid, but they believe in giving back and paying it forward. This type of mentorship has become a lost art and a gap many don’t often discuss or acknowledge. It is the key to unlocking generational limitations and turning them into promises of brighter, uncapped futures and possibilities.
Relationship is Key
As generations have become more technologically savvy, many have also lost interpersonal skills and feelings of genuine connection. Screens and computer monitors have replaced face-to-face conversations, and phone calls have been swapped for emails and texts. Although mentoring can occur virtually and by appointment, there is no substitute for a “real life” role model who provides tangible examples, timely feedback and guidance, and a sense of ongoing support. No degree can compare to the imparted experience and wisdom of someone who genuinely cares and demonstrates wisdom, grit, resilience, and proven methods for success in different forms. Hero stories, the ones where the underdog wins and those least expected to succeed conquer their dreams, are the most powerful stories that become examples that resonate with people and offer hope to everyone.
Changing Lives
When we consider the power of mentoring, we recognize how one person’s positive influence can strengthen impoverished communities, change one person’s life trajectory, and offer realistic solutions to those facing insurmountable odds. Investing in future generations begins with rediscovering the power of connection and empathy while fostering a sense of empowerment. This is where the undervalued practice of peer mentorship shines, going beyond simply offering advice and proving to be an effective and lasting practice that affects generations.
The ability to help another is a gift and a responsibility to humanity. With different starting points, strengths, weaknesses, and circumstances, one of the best investments we can make is not something we can gauge by our financial portfolio but by the influence we have on another. Accepting and harnessing the power we all have to serve as positive role models and mentors is a trend we need to promote within our families, communities, and corporations.
As the Chinese philosopher Laozi said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This message and similar ones appear in many cultures, teachings, and literature, including the Bible and Torah. They are rooted in the belief that sharing knowledge and teaching skills to others is true wealth.There are countless people we can follow, newsletters we can subscribe to, and master courses we can sign up for that offer excellent advice, but I hope we never lose sight of the big and small mentoring opportunities that exist in our everyday lives. We all rise when we lift each other; the benefits will be seen for generations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shane Svorec is a Sales and Marketing Professional who, during Covid, pursued her long-time passion for writing, published her first book, and became an award-winning author. Her work includes Broken Little Believer: Finding Purpose in All the Pretty Painful Pieces, The Busy Bridge That Got Its Break, and Acorn Adventures. An inspirational writer who connects with readers through her colorful storytelling abilities, encouraging messages, and positive perspective, she lives in NJ with her husband, three children, and rescue pets.
