I needed to be challenged.  For me, one way to be stretched is to mentor a colleague or friend who is on their own journey, just a bit behind me.

My dad shared with me this saying from my grandfather, 

“The best investment any of us can ever make is in a fellow human being.”

I don’t know about you, that statement feels both comforting and like a punch in the gut, all at the same time.  I think about what I could have done if I had paid closer attention to people around me.

Consider this, former colleagues who might have developed faster professionally.  Contemplate this, acquaintances and friends who might have benefitted from me sharing my experience if I had made myself available for a conversation.

Now, I’m doing life differently.  Currently, I’m pouring into others as people approach me for advice.  I had two people connect with me in recent weeks, one from my company and the other from my client.  In addition to my day job, I am showing up and being present for my family!

As I write this post, I recognize how unique mentoring is in the context of human behavior.  In future posts on mentoring, I plan to unpack what the concept is and what the concept is not.

Take a challenge

Today, I want to challenge you to examine your relationships.  Who might benefit from a few hours of your time? Mentor a colleague or friend who would genuinely benefit from your expertise and experience.

If they are open to receiving it, time spent with you listening to their concerns, providing feedback, pays rewards. Time invested for in that person, for their own personal and/or professional growth, benefits you both.

Will you take up this challenge? Will you invest in another person this week?