Most people have a misconception around mentoring. Saying “I want you to mentor me.”, can become awkward for the other party to respond to during your first interaction.
Step-by-Step Approach
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Find a domain that you’re looking to level up in!
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Look around for people in that domain. Shortlist folks with whom you’d like to switch places with. Deciding whom to learn from is as important as what to learn. Only work with folks whose path resonates with you.
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It’s time to stalk, erm, research. See what they are currently working on. Can you help them in some areas?
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Approach them with a clear question for advice.
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Define a clear set of tasks that you’ll need to do before approaching them again. Seek feedback on your execution, but don’t take it personally.
Tips
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You get to learn a lot of life skills from senior folks.
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The mentorship needn’t be active in nature. Most of my mentors have been passive, i.e. they didn’t know that they had a role to play in my life. And that’s okay!
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Books can serve as a mentor as well.
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Use the Pygmalion effect to your advantage. High expectations from mentors can lead to faster growth.
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Respect your mentor’s time. Don’t wait for the mentor to follow up with you. The onus is on you to check in with them regularly on your progress.