There's a Chinese proverb that simply says: "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back." As someone who's always looking for ways to improve professionally and personally, I constantly seek out mentors who have walked the paths I nervously try to venture on. Without good personal and professional mentors, one can only get so far. It's very hard to get better at anything if you have no one but yourself to follow. When you become the smartest in your class, it's time to change classes.

If you are thinking about enlisting mentors to help get you to the next level, you are on the right track. Seek mentors who have the time to invest in you, even if it's only for a short amount of time once a month. They must have wisdom to impart. They obviously need to have valuable experience that's relevant to your growth and be willing to add value to you. Remember, no matter how much you think you've accomplished, you can always benefit from having valuable mentors in your life.