Why does everyone have a personal trainer, but not a mentor?

It’s the end of 2024, and we’re all about “self-care” and “personal growth,” right? Look around you. Almost everyone has a personal trainer (or at least pretends to). People are out here waking up at 5 a.m. to meditate, journal, and do yoga on a rooftop —but guess what? Most people still don’t have a mentor. It’s wild, honestly.

We live in a time where we have specialists for every single part of our lives—someone to whip your body into shape, someone to get your mental health on track. But where’s the specialist for your career? Your professional growth?

If you’re sitting there thinking, “Well, I have LinkedIn,” let me stop you right there. Then you’ve got 116 self-development videos saved on YouTube, promising to watch them all during your summer break. Sure, we’ve all been there.

But now you're probably asking yourself, "Why haven’t I planned for a mentor yet?" Here's the thing: a mentor isn’t just someone older, wiser, and slightly intimidating. They’re someone who gets you, understands where you are right now, and knows exactly how to guide you toward where you want to go. They’ve walked the path before, and they’re cool enough to hand you the map.

Several years ago, when I first started my journey towards design leadership, I thought I could do everything solo. A career shift was happening, and suddenly, I had no idea where to start or how this was all going to play out in the long run. And if you’re in the same situation right now, you probably need a mentor too.

So, where do you find one?

You don’t have to launch some intense, year-long search. Start with your professional network—a former colleague, a leader from a previous workplace, or even someone you follow and admire on LinkedIn. Just ask. Slide into their DMs. They might surprise you.

If you're in Denmark, check out work unions that often offer free mentorship programs. Some of them have incredible resources that can match you with someone who’s eager to help guide you through your career.

You might even be wondering, Can a mentor benefit from me? Absolutely. Mentorship is a two-way street. It’s not just about them handing down wisdom. Mentors gain insight from your fresh perspective, energy, and unique challenges. Plus, mentoring someone can be just as fulfilling for them as it is for you. They see it as paying it forward.

The benefits:

1. Perspective. They’ve been there, done that, and can show you what to avoid.

2. Accountability. Someone to keep you on track, when you're tempted to drift away.

3. Connections. Let’s be real, they know people who can help you.

4. Confidence boost. Having someone in your corner gives you that extra push when you need it.

What should you expect from mentorship? Here’s a cheat sheet.

Know your goals. I know, it’s a hard one. Ask yourself, what exactly do you want from this mentorship? Is it about getting career advice, making connections, or just having someone who’s been there?

Forget about staying in your lane. Your mentor doesn’t need to work in the same industry as you. In fact, sometimes an outsider’s perspective is just what you need.

Test the waters with potential mentors. You’re allowed to be picky! Have a few conversations with different people to see if you vibe with them. Chemistry matters.

Set the ground rules. Get on the same page with your mentor. How often are you meeting? For how long? Figure out a plan that works for you.

If you’re serious about your career—finding a mentor isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s an essential. Get yourself someone who’s been where you want to go and who’s willing to show you how to get there.