Let me write today about the importance of a mentor in helping you to get the flow in life. Flow, simply put, is about looking at the mirror in the eye, feeling the gap between your inner and outer, and working to reduce it to the extent possible. Whenever we succeed in doing this, we feel the flow. When we are unable to do so, we feel the exertion.
And despite what is generally the notion — that one needs the greyness of years to get there — I feel it is easier to do this early in life than later, provided you are mentored well and made aware of the importance of being able to say your stuff and being your authentic self.
As we grow, we all feel the pressure to be “right” and “perfect” in common parlance. There is pressure from parents and peers to behave in a certain way, and we internalise this due to our socialisation process. We often move away from our essence and our inner core and make choices in matters that are not aligned with it.
It begins with choosing our education stream — science or commerce being the popular choice rather than social science or any other. Then engineering or medicine in higher education, the job choices such as engineers or doctor or IAS and finally, who we choose as our life’s partner.
Having got many of these choices wrong, we start to feel the disconnect in life, but more often than not, we are already in a jam by then — having chosen a job or life partner for reasons at variance to your essence, and now it seems almost impossible to course correct.
Although it may seem challenging, course correction is crucial for restoring the flow of one’s life, and delaying it exacerbates the difficulty and pain involved. Failing to make the necessary changes can lead to disconnection and a loss in various aspects of life, resulting in an unfavorable outcome. That’s where corporate mentorship snoops in to save the day.
Receiving the right guidance and mentorship early in life can significantly increase the likelihood of establishing meaningful connections in various aspects of our lives. From determining our academic interests to choosing a fulfilling career path, pursuing our passions, and finding the right companionship, proper mentoring can enable us to make informed decisions that align with our values and aspirations.
You get most of this right, and your life will be a song. Hence it’s important to have one on one mentoring sessions early in life rather than counselling sessions later in life.
Author Bio: Surajit Roy, a retired civil servant and corporate honcho with nearly 40 years of work experience, enjoys mentoring young and mid-career professionals who struggle with work challenges.
By sharing his insights and experiences, he aims to help employed and self-employed individuals manage work-life pressure and inspire and guide those struggling with the daily grind.
