How do you follow up and track your progress after a mentorship meeting?

1 Send a thank-you note

The first thing you should do after a mentorship meeting is to send a thank-you note to your mentor. This is a simple gesture that shows your appreciation, respect, and professionalism. It also helps to reinforce the key points, feedback, or action items that were discussed during the meeting. You can use email, text, or any other communication channel that your mentor prefers, but make sure to keep it brief, clear, and sincere.

2 Review your notes and action items

The next step is to review your notes and action items from the meeting. This will help you to refresh your memory, clarify any doubts, and prioritize your tasks. You should also identify any gaps or challenges that you need to address or overcome before the next meeting. For example, you may need to do some research, practice a skill, or seek feedback from others. You should also set realistic and measurable goals for yourself based on the guidance and expectations of your mentor.

3 Update your progress tracker

A progress tracker is a tool that helps you to monitor and document your achievements, challenges, and learnings throughout the mentorship process. It can be a spreadsheet, a document, a journal, or any other format that works for you and your mentor. You should update your progress tracker regularly, preferably after each meeting, to keep track of your milestones, feedback, action items, and reflections. This will help you to see how far you have come, what areas you need to improve, and what value you are getting from the mentorship.

4 Communicate with your mentor

Communication is key to maintaining a healthy and productive mentorship relationship. You should communicate with your mentor regularly, not only after the meetings, but also in between them. You can use email, phone, or any other channel that your mentor agrees to, but make sure to respect their time and availability. You should communicate with your mentor to update them on your progress, ask questions, seek advice, share feedback, or request support. You should also be open, honest, and respectful in your communication, and listen to what your mentor has to say.

5 Prepare for the next meeting

The last step is to prepare for the next meeting with your mentor. You should review your progress tracker, notes, and action items, and identify any topics or issues that you want to discuss or learn more about. You should also prepare any materials or questions that you need to bring or ask during the meeting. You should also confirm the date, time, and agenda of the next meeting with your mentor, and make sure to be punctual, attentive, and engaged.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?