3 Reasons You Need a Mentor

If you want to take your career from good to great in the coming year, you need the right person to help you get there. Here are a few unexpected signs you need a mentor: 

No One Knows Who You Are 

"Who are you?" The higher ups at your company have no idea who you are and no idea what you do: You need to have a reputation and a promising career trajectory. People need to be talking about you. You need to be "on the radar". If you are being looked over, forgotten, or you are just stagnant you need a mentor.

You're Bored 

"I'm so bored!" Even if you aren't exactly where you want to be, you should be waking up excited about the future and with your eye on the prize—the prize being where you intend to be. A good mentor can help you hold to your vision, perfect your vision and stay focused. If you are bored or uninspired in your current job or career… you need a mentor. 

You Talk to the Wrong People

"What do you think I should do about this opportunity I'm interested in at work?" you ask expectantly to your friend who hasn't been able to hold down a job or money in the bank their entire adult life. Sometimes we have friends who aren't that ambitious (nor do they need to be). 

Yes we may have grown up with them and love them but that doesn't mean those people are "go-to" peer relationships when it comes to achieving power, position and prestige in your career. 

A mentor is not a friend who you can kick back and be real with. A mentor is someone who pushes you to advance yourself and helps you see how to do that. If you are asking "slacker Stacy or Scott" who hasn't got a clue, you need a mentor.

This article was written by Katie Rost. A version of it previously appeared at Capitol Standard.