Be Encouraged
A mentor came into my office with a question that many mentors have: ” AM I REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE? ” When this question is asked I often have the same answer,
” YES, YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF THIS STUDENT! ”
Listening, providing undivided attention, encouragement, being an advocate, and a friend are all keys to a good foundation in the student/mentor relationship.
Each time you meet, that trust and bond gets stronger. The mentor who came into my office, began meeting with her student and eventually her student began sharing more personal stories. Mentor relationship take time and patience, but it works!
Be Challenged
Thankfulness or gratitude can be the root of healthy thinking. Even if “good” is hard to see sometimes, help your student find it in their life. It will change their perspective.
A few ideas from AJ Jacobs:
- Look Up. (See the people around you.)
- Smell the Roses. (Take the time to see it.)
- Find hidden masterpieces around you. (There are amazing things all around us.)
- Fake it till you feel it. (Start by acting thankful.)
- Gratitude will spark action.
And if you want to go deeper in how thankfulness works, watch the full video of AJ Jacobs