In today's world of work, it is important to continually learn and develop your skills as quickly as possible and to network in order to be successful. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is to find a mentor who can give you the benefit of their experience and help you to avoid some of the pitfalls you may encounter along the way.

Mentoring is a popular concept in today's business world. Most people believe it is a new term established because of the fast paced environment of the modern day company and the constant need to learn and update skills and knowledge due to the advent of technology. However, the term "mentor" first originated in classic Greek mythology. When King Odysseus left on a long trip, he asked his friend, Mentor , a wise teacher, to watch over his son. Mentor gave the child support, guidance, and protection in his absence. It is from this classic example that the term mentor began to be used for those who guide and nurture the growth and development of others through various stages of their career. Mentoring doesn't only occur between individuals but between organizations and nations as well. Whenever two or more gather in the name of support and wisdom, that is mentoring.

Mentoring is not only a common practice, but has become an invaluable tool in business. No one ever succeeded without a helping hand and they have learned to ask for the assistance they need. The more comfortable you are asking for help, advice and support the more successful you will be on the job. Two heads are better than one and four hands can do a job much quicker than two. There is a parable about a Dad and his son who were taking a walk when they saw a large boulder in the field. The son asked his Dad, "Do you think I could move this boulder if I use all my strength?" Yes, said his Dad "I'm sure you could if you use all your strength". The boy pushed and shoved at the boulder but could not budge it. He turned to his Dad and said, "You were wrong, I can't do it." His Dad replied, "Son, you did not use all of your strength; you did not ask me to help you." This is the concept that mentoring is based on.

While some companies have set up formal mentoring programs to help their employees to get all the support and advice they need to grow, most often mentoring is done on an informal basis. Many companies assign "mentors" to new employees to answer questions and help them become acclimated to the workplace. If your company does not have a mentoring program and you feel somewhat hesitant to ask for assistance, remember these three basic reasons for seeking a mentor.

• Asking someone for advice or support is flattering. It shows you respect them and their knowledge and feel you can learn from them.
• By asking for assistance you are showing that you have the initiative, confidence and humility to succeed.
• It is simply a smart career move.

Anyone can be a mentor. A mentor is simply a person you can learn from. You may have a number of "mentors" at the same time about different issues. A mentor may be someone who simply gives you advice and support as you continue learning. They may give on-going feedback on your performance or answer questions and solves problems; create opportunities for you to make networking contacts; provide information about an event or meeting or just give you the benefit of their experience and/or knowledge of a new skill or provide career advice. It is possible to have several mentors and it does not even matter what position they hold in the organization. You should choose your mentor based on values, experience, interests and knowledge. A receptionist could give you communication tips and feedback on your interpersonal skills; the Human Resource Manager might give you career advice and a more experienced co-worker may compare notes on a project or task to check understanding/accuracy. As you learn and grow, you may even find opportunities to serve as a mentor to others.

A mentoring relationship does not have to be long-term either though it can be very beneficial to find someone who has great deal of knowledge and experience and nurture an on-going relationship. Some mentoring relationships can last a week or a month while others may continue for years. It also does not have to be time consuming proposition and may require as little as 10 minutes a week for a few weeks or a lunch hour every week for a year. The two people involved decide how often they will meet and for how long. A good rule of thumb is to ask a mentor how much time they have available.

What is the best way to establish a mentoring relationship? The direct approach usually works best. "Hey, Joe, do you think you could spare a few minutes occasionally to give me some feedback on how I am doing?" Or "Sally, I am really so impressed with your knowledge of the data entry system. Would you mind showing me how to find this information?" You could also offer an exchange of knowledge in an area where you are more knowledge or assistance on a special.

Mentoring is a win-win relationship. In the words of Booker T. Washington, "A sure way for one to lift himself up is by helping to lift someone else."