Hello everyone, this is your brethren KFT001.
Please kindly subscribe if you haven't and leave a like or a comment if you want to...
First, who's a mentor? And what does a mentor do?
According to Merriam-webster's online dictionary, a mentor is one who teaches or gives advice or guidance to someone, such as a less experienced person or a child.
From the above definition, we can see that a mentor is one whom you run to for guidance or advice on something you have little or no knowledge about. Your mentor could be your friend, parent, lecturer etc. Mentors aren't aliens, they aren't people who don't know you exist or aware of your existence. You must have met them on different occasions for guidance or counseling. Your mentor doesn't necessarily have to be a "big name" in the industry.
Having established that fact, what do I mean by mentorship isn't free?
First off, you don't just approach your mentor or anybody the moment you need their help. There must be an existing relationship. In establishing a relationship, you spend resources, your time, effort, you deny yourself of some certain things. These things cost you something, not necessarily cash.
Mentorship is priceless and invaluable. It's a lifetime something. If we are to pay for mentorship, I doubt if many of us can afford it. When you celebrate your mentor on their special days, and give them gifts, it costs you something. When your mentor organizes a program, you volunteer for the program to assist. It cost you something likewise. Your mentor organises a class both paid and free, you attend. He or she wrote a book, you buy the book.
These things I have listed aren't free either. It costs you something and you're paying your mentors indirectly not necessarily by cash payment. You cannot afford to be a liability in someone's life for the sake of mentorship.
In conclusion, mentorship is a win-win scenario. You learn from your mentors and vice versa. You promote your mentors likewise your mentors promote you. You can advice your mentor, no one is an island. You share knowledge together and gain from each other.
~Pelumi Lawrence