Have you considered how many changes there are to assimilate and manage during the course of your medical career?
With every morning post seems to come new directives, targets to achieve, new media scares, national service frameworks, personal development plans and so on.
There does not seem time to do much else and the balance of life can become disturbed. Individual time out for reflection and developing new perspectives can help to restore that balance.
A mentoring relationship
Imagine an individual supportive relationship with someone you both trust and respect and who will in turn trust and respect you.
In a completely confidential setting it is possible to discuss any issues that are of importance to you in a non-threatening and non-judgemental atmosphere.
With gentle and sensitive challenge, it will enable you to view both your professional and personal life in a different light towards fulfilling the goals set by yourself and not by others.
Such is the essence of mentoring and it could benefit anyone who would like to experience it.
Who are the mentors?
Some people naturally have the talent for being approachable and listening to others.
Some can challenge and be a guide through the difficult times of change.
All our mentors are chosen for these innate qualities and are trained to be perceptive and mindful of the needs of the mentee.
The underpinning model of mentoring is holistic and considers the whole person.
How do I get a mentor?
If you are interested in further information or would like a mentor please contact Cygnus Mentoring [ more ]
Who would benefit from mentoring?
Almost everyone would benefit from mentoring.
All you need is flexibility and willingness to explore different ways of managing your life.
Some of the issues that have successfully managed as a result of mentoring are:
- Joining a practice or hospital
- New roles within the same situation
- Taking on other work
- New directives and working patterns
- High fliers and innovators
- Life-changes (family, marriage, children, retirement)
- Generic for personal development plans
- Managing and communication with colleagues
- Stress and time management
- Support through complaint
What may you expect in the session?
As a mentee, what you want to achieve in the session is the central agenda.
Your mentor will facilitate the exploration of what is happening for you at the moment and encourage you to create your own options.
The goals are yours to set and the strategies are the ones that you establish for yourself with the support of your mentor.
The role of the mentor is to help the process of reflection and learning.
It has been found that six sessions are useful to establish the relationship and to do useful developmental work.
These ideally would be over a year and held at two monthly intervals, depending on the needs and decision of the mentee.