Happy New Year! What better way to begin the New Year than to celebrate mentoring and all of the good it can bring throughout the year and beyond. This month is designated as National Mentoring Month and January 15th has been assigned as Thank Your Mentor Day. This is the perfect opportunity to express your gratitude and let your mentor know how they made a difference in your life.
There are a number of ways to thank a mentor and how they have improved your personal or professional life for the better and the following are just a few things you can do to show your appreciation:
Throw back to the old handwritten note.With all of the technology out there today, many have moved away from the thoughtful and expressive handwritten notes. This is still a time honored gesture and your mentor will appreciate the time and thought that went into this note of thanks.
Give your mentor a shout-out on social media.A post, blog or tweet or mention in your 100 Day Gratitude Challenge about how they helped you to be where you are today is a great way to spread the word. #MentoringWorks
Present them with a small act of kindness.Whether it is homemade baked goods, a gift card or a book of interest, a small token of appreciation will let your mentor know that their time and dedication to you has not gone unnoticed.
Make a financial donation in their honor to their favorite charity.A great way to honor you mentor is to support a charity or cause that is important to them. This lets them know that you respect and admire the things they do for others as well.
Introduce them to one of your connections and share your network.This is a great way to share the wealth. Everyone benefits from positive and helpful people.
Let lunch be on you.Take your mentor out to lunch. Not only is this a great opportunity for you to take a break from the office, but it will give you some extra time to connect.
Become a mentor yourself!The best way to say thank you is to pay if forward! By committing yourself to guide in another's professional journey, you are acknowledging the importance of your mentor's efforts and paying it forward.
A mentor empowers a person to see a possible future,
and believe it can be obtained.
~Shawn Hitchcock
