The key to being a good mentor is listening actively to the mentee and offering advice when requested but not telling the mentee what to do. The mentee should make decisions, not you and this is sometimes hard for mentors. You will be helping someone to raise their own self awareness, think about what they consider as important and focus upon the future. You will challenge and support the mentee as appropriate and will help them to take control and responsibility for their lives.
A good mentor will want to ensure that the mentee gains confidence and independence as a result of mentoring and is eventually able to go forward independently.
Make sure you do not find yourself saying:
Mentoring is not:
Don't feel that you have to help the mentee with all their problems. Don't worry if you cannot help, mentoring is not a test, don't be embarrassed to say you don't know or cannot help and do not feel that you have failed.
You may not want to become involved with your mentee's very personal problems - again tell them this, suggest alternative sources of help.