I’ve talked to quite a few people over the last six months who have more time on their hands than usual.

While some of you have less free time, particularly if you have young children at home or you work in a front line job, many of you are looking for meaningful activities to fill time that was previously packed with social activities, church and charity obligations, and travel.

At the same time, there are so many people out there who are feeling lonely, isolated, and lacking motivation. Far too many young people are stuck in homes with parents who are working and cannot be there for them.

I would like to propose a win-win solution to these challenges, and that is mentoring.

Mentoring has been shown to be an invaluable experience for both the mentee and the mentor. Mentorships are an opportunity to go beyond typical volunteer experiences, forming a personal connection that is goal-oriented, empathetic, and united for greater good.

Research tells is that mentees are more likely to:

• Hold leadership positions
• Go to college
• Perform better in school
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Gain confidence both professionally and socially

Mentors provide their mentees with accountability, motivation, support, resources, and a surrounding board for their plans and ideas.

Did you know that Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, and Google co-founder Larry Page all credit their mentors with propelling them on their paths to success?

The benefits of mentorship go both ways. Mentors report that they:

• Feel more connected to their community
• Believe they are making a difference
• Gain a sense of purpose and productivity
• Achieve greater self-esteem and personal growth

As a business mentor myself, one benefit I’ve experienced is passing on the wisdom I gained over 40 years in business. Too many people retire and take their knowledge, experience, and wisdom with them – and the result is that no one benefits from it. By mentoring, you get to share it with someone who can utilize what they learn.

There are lots of mentorship programs out there, both nationwide and in local communities. Many of them focus on high-risk young people, while others concentrate on promising college students or young career talent. Some programs center on specific goals, such as applying to college, while others are more general.

Mentoring can easily take place on Zoom or other online platforms, and it can be a great way to break out of the isolation many people are feeling while maintaining social distance.

If you’re interested in pursuing a mentorship, you might start by contacting your university or professional association to see if they have specific programs for graduates or members. Or you can take a look at mentoring.org or Senior Corps for nationwide opportunities.

At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work to instill within my clients the belief that they have the seeds of greatness within them. And with the tried and tested strategies that nurture those seeds, their businesses flourish. If you want your business to become a flourishing legacy business, contact me today.

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.