How a Younger Mentor Can Improve Your Life 100%

Today’s youth could be your next mentor.

You’re getting older and the world around you is moving almost as fast as the speed of light. It’s not that fast, but it feels like it some days.

The world continues to change and evolve, as you see new technology everywhere you go.

There are 331 million people in the United States and of that, 310 million are smartphone users.

Having a smartphone is almost as good as having a computer right in front of you with the ability these phones have today.

You’ve likely finished your formal education years ago. It could have been a year ago or decades since you learned a new topic.

Usually, your mentor is older than you since they may have the experience or insight to help you.

Maybe it’s your boss, a former co-worker, or someone you met at a networking event.

But the older you get, you may have to look at younger mentors to help you. They may be more in tune with technology or the latest trend everyone else is talking about.

Someone younger than you may be more in tune with technology, the latest trend, or a different perspective that you overlooked. A young mentor could give you some insight and help you in your own career or life situation.

Just because someone is younger than you, it doesn’t mean you should ignore them completely. They could be your biggest supporter and also give you the insight you need.

To be honest, sometimes you just have to swallow your pride. Your pride can be your worst enemy.

So what if someone is five or 10 years younger than you?

Who cares?

No one does except your pride.

Swallow your pride and open the conversation.

You don’t have to ask someone to be your mentor unless you really think they can help you. But sometimes you have to ask someone for their advice.

For example, Generation Xer Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, 39, joined IBM and mentors Rod Adkins, IBM’s 55-year-old senior vice president for corporate strategy.

Don’t be stubborn

If your goal is so big and you can’t ask someone for their help, then you will have a harder time reaching your goal.

Sometimes you have to ask someone who’s been there and done that. The person may even give you some insight you may have overlooked.

Be open to learn

The older you get, there are more new things that come up.

In the late 1970s, VCRs came out.

Then in 2001, DVDs outsold VCRs.

It wasn’t long before mail-order DVDs became popular. But that didn’t last long.

Now everyone is streaming the latest movie within weeks after it hit movie theaters.

Change comes, and it comes very fast.

You may remember your parents or grandparents having a hard time when technology changed before they caught up to the last change you explained to them.

This could be you if you don’t swallow your stubbornness and be open to getting advice from someone younger than you.

Growth means learning

Over the past few years, I wanted to grow as a writer. So I’ve taken a few courses from people who were all younger than me.

Some were about 10 years younger than me.

Then others were about 20 years younger than me.

I had no problem learning from them. They cut my learning curve down.

Their age wasn’t a problem for me. My goal was to get better professionally, and it didn’t matter how old the person was.

They helped me become a better writer.

My friend is my mentor

Another friend I met while in the Army, we became good friends.

He’s about five years younger than me. But he has kids that are older than my kids.

Every once in a while, I’ll ask him questions about what he did for his kids when he raised them.

For instance, today, I sent him a message about what he bought for his kids when they ran track. My daughter is about to start track in a few weeks, so I wanted to get some insight and get her prepared.

Too often, her school will tell her she needs something, but I don’t want to wait until the last minute to buy something.

For sports, there are only a few stores here that sell the items kids need. I don’t want to wait until the last minute and find out the size or item my daughter needs isn’t available at the store. The item may not be available at the local store since every other parent is out buying it for their child.

Other times, I’ll bounce ideas with my friend. Since I’ve retired from the Army and he is still active, I’ll share some things for him to think about.

So our mentor-mentee relationship goes both ways.

He’ll share some things with me, and I’ll share some things with him.

In any relationship with a mentor, sometimes you have to give something in return to help them in their own life or career.

Final thoughts

A younger mentor can help you in life. Don’t be afraid to think just because someone is younger than you, that you can’t learn from them. They may know something that can help you in life.

Your stubbornness will only hurt you more than it will help you.

The world is moving fast as new technology is evolving. Sometimes learning from someone younger than you is exactly what you need to do.

Be open to learning, and don’t worry about someone’s age.

Look at your needs in areas you want to improve. Figure out who may be the right person who can help you.

Then arrange a meeting with them and explain what you’re looking for.

This could be the best thing you do as you get older and the world changes around you.