Hey future mentees! Before you dive into your mentoring journey, we’ve got a little exercise to help you set your individual goals and manage your expectations. This will set you up for success and make sure you get the most out of your mentoring experience. Let’s get started!

Part 1: Setting Your Goals

Grab a notebook or open a new document, and let’s get goal-setting! Answer the following questions to identify your goals for the mentoring program.

1. What are your short-term goals?
   • Think about what you want to achieve in the next 3-6 months.
   • Example: “I want to improve my time management skills to handle multiple freelance projects more effectively.”
2. What are your long(er)-term goals?
   • Where do you see yourself in the next 1-2 years?
   • Example: “I want to establish myself as a go-to expert in digital marketing within the next two years.”
3. Why are these goals important to you?
   • Reflect on why you’ve chosen these specific goals.
   • Example: “Improving my time management will help me deliver projects on time, which is crucial for building a good reputation.”
4. How will you measure your progress?
   • Define how you’ll track your progress towards these goals.
   • Example: “I’ll measure my time management improvement by tracking the hours I spend on each task and aiming to reduce overwork by 20%.”
5. What skills or knowledge do you want to gain?
   • Identify the specific skills or areas of knowledge you want to develop.
   • Example: “I want to learn advanced SEO techniques to enhance my digital marketing services.”

Part 2: Managing Expectations

It’s important to have realistic expectations about your mentoring journey. Answer these questions to set the right mindset:

1. What do you expect from your mentor?
   • List your top 3 expectations.
   • Example: “I expect my mentor to provide constructive feedback, share industry insights, and help me set realistic goals.”
2. What do you NOT expect from your mentor?
   • Clarify what your mentor isn’t responsible for.
   • Example: “I don’t expect my mentor to solve all my problems or be available 24/7.”
3. What are your responsibilities as a mentee?
   • Outline what you need to do to make the most of this experience.
   • Example: “I’m responsible for being prepared for our sessions, actively engaging in discussions, and following through on action items.”
4. How will you handle challenges or setbacks?
   • Plan your approach for dealing with difficulties.
   • Example: “If I face challenges, I’ll discuss them with my mentor and seek advice on how to overcome them.”
5. What are your top 3 priorities for this mentoring program?
   • List the most important things you want to focus on.
   • Example: “1. Improve my project management skills. 2. Expand my professional network. 3. Develop a clearer career path.”

Final Step: Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your answers. Write a brief summary (3-5 sentences) about what you hope to achieve through this mentoring program and how you plan to get there.

Example Reflection: “I’m excited to improve my time management and digital marketing skills through this mentoring program. By setting clear goals and actively engaging with my mentor, I aim to deliver projects more efficiently and establish myself as an industry expert. I’m committed to putting in the effort and being open to feedback to achieve these goals.”

And you’re all set! Keep this exercise handy and revisit it regularly to stay focused and motivated throughout your mentoring journey.

Go get ‘em,

Team Cavalry