When my kids ask me what I want for Christmas I tell them world peace. Yes, corny I know, and it’s a wish we’ve heard again and again over the years, with few of us believing it will actually happen. So I’m changing my wish this year (and not that I don’t want world peace) into something that I believe would greatly impact the world.

 

My wish is that everyone would have a mentor. Someone who would inspire and motivate you to do great things. Someone who would hold you accountable for your actions and help you make good decisions. Someone who cares about you, could offer you advice, wisdom and be a sounding board when you were frustrated. But most of all, someone who believes in you.

 

We have begun to recognize the importance of a good mentor both in the business world and with our youth. Research shows us that teens who have a mentor in their lives are much less likely to engage in high risk behaviour and much more likely to be successful. A good mentor provides a competitive advantage and is a long term investment.

 

Most successful people can easily point to one or two people who greatly impacted their career, someone who motivated, inspired and challenged them. However, although we are recognizing the importance of a good mentor, unfortunately there are too few people willing to take on that responsibility. 

 

One of the greatest gifts you can give this year is to commit to being a mentor. Whether it’s to a youth, a neighbour, someone at work, or someone in your profession, it’s a gift that will greatly impact your world, and theirs.