There is no shortage of people around me. Yes I am an only child, but I’m just one in a huge Ital-Australian family. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, I have 14 first cousins, some of which have gone onto having their own kids, so when you add them into the mix, there is a grand total of 28 – yes, just a handful.
We’re a pretty close knit family. We may not see each other all the time, but when we do it’s like we only caught up the week before.
My parents always desired to have a couple of kiddies. Though things didn’t work out as planned, they never made me feel like I missed out. In fact my upbringing was the complete opposite. I wasn’t one of those kids who had everything in the way of toys. I was instead showered with something that I still get to use at age 24, and that is mentorship.
I have a wonderful relationship with my parents. If I take the time to assess why, it’s because they genuinely had an interest in my wellbeing and positively engaged with the world that surrounded me. I guess this is what any great mum or dad would do for their child.
The word ‘mentorship’ is thrown around a lot these days. You just have to watch an episode of Shark Tank to get an idea of what I mean. The whole make-up of the show is to give budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to gain invaluable mentorship and investment from some of Australia’s most successful business minds.
The truth is you don’t have to possess an innovative business idea to score a mentor. I believe that each and every one of us needs somebody to inspire us. Whether you’re a millennial or a retiree, we all crave support and wisdom no matter our age. None of us is meant to walk life alone.
Inspirational quotes are awesome and luckily Instagram is never in short supply. I don’t know about you, but when I come across one that connects with me, it’s like I’ve been given an instant shot of positivity. I feel invigorated and empowered to live my best life. Mentorship runs the same way – except it’s a long-term relationship.
My life is not one magical fairytale. Like every other person on this planet, I experience highs and lows. It’s a fact of life and there’s no need to be afraid of it. When things get tough, what has always got me through is the love and support from those around me. They pick me up when I’m feeling down, and I do the same for them when the shoe is on the other foot.
Never let your past determine your future. It doesn’t matter the kind of relationships you experienced in the past. If I got hung on my past, I would not be in a position to write this post today. Look forward, not backward.
For those of you who are on the hunt for the perfect mentor, here is what I think you should be on the lookout for:
- A person who uplifts you and inspires you
- A person who can teach you and guide you
- A person who believes in your talents and ability
- A person who has an open mind and is full of wisdom
When you come across a person who possesses these qualities, embrace their guidance and enthusiasm. Age shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to mentorship. A mentor is somebody you can look up to and learn from. It’s as simple as that. Look around you. I reckon you are inundated with choice, just be open to the possibilities.
For those who would love the opportunity to make a positive difference in somebody’s life, then I encourage you to be a mentor. A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because somebody else believed in them.
Even the slightest positive influence has the potential to change a person’s life forever. Don’t underestimate your worth.
Keep smiling,
Gianna Lucas xx
