Finding a mentor, someone who you admire and respect to hold you accountable professionally, is one step to becoming better. Above, is my dream mentor, Michelle Obama.

Technically, a mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. And as I transition into the next step into my life, there have been certain people that I’ve admired from afar. I recently decided to approach one person I truly respected as writer (thank goodness for social networking) and they reached back. I have to say that I was surprised, but now that they said that they’ll do anything they can to help me, I have to capitalize.

Look, everybody who’s anybody has one. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs looks to Andre Harrell. (Not familiar? Please Google.) I recently heard Tim Gunn speak and he revealed that his mentor is Diane Von Furstenburg. Now your mentor doesn’t have to be famous and quite frankly they should be somewhat attainable. But they should have traveled a journey that you respect and gained perspective from. Just asking someone for a handout is not a mentoring relationship. Seek knowledge, gain perspective and progress. That’s what it’s all about.

And look you don’t just have to have one mentor. There are a few people I want to learn from, but also remember that not everyone can meddle in your life and have access to your goals.

My next step? I’m going to write my new mentor an email explaining my overall goals and ask about their journey. Hopefully, because some of what they know now I’ll be able to prevent making the same mistakes they made.

I’ll keep you posted.