1. Their words — and the lessons packaged within them — will stay with you for years to come.
2. Even when you start to think they’ve taught you everything, new lessons emerge.
3. They’re here to help you grow. Be willing to grow, and they’ll grow, too.
4. To learn from someone with unique, prolonged experience is a blessing not everyone gets to experience.
5. They’ve been where you’ve been. They understand — all of it.
6. Everyone needs to hear and see and feel, every now and then, that their work matters. Even the people who inspire you.
7. You won’t always have someone around to act as your support system. Support systems change. They come. They go. When you have a good one, cherish it.
8. Working with people isn’t always easy. If someone is willing to work with you, you should make it as easy as possible.
9. At some point, one way or another, you and your mentor will part ways. No partnership is forever.
10. So enjoy the time with them that you’ve been given.
11. And don’t forget to say “thank you.” There is great and lasting power in gratitude.
Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is an editor and writer, and a 12-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food, and Star Wars.
Meg Dowell Writes 