Give the relationship a clear starting point
Use this planner to prepare a first conversation. It creates a simple agenda in your browser; it does not find or vet mentors and does not send your answers anywhere. Avoid entering sensitive personal details.
Week 1: understand and agree
Explain the situation and what success would look like. Discuss meeting arrangements, communication, privacy limits and fees, if any. For minors, involve the guardian and program according to their policies. Write down what is inside and outside the mentor’s role.
Week 2: try one small action
Pick an action the athlete controls. Examples include preparing a question, requesting feedback or making a list of interests outside sport. Rehearse if helpful. Do not make a high-stakes commitment just because a mentor suggests it.
Week 3: review what happened
Ask what worked, what felt difficult and what needs to change. A missed action is useful information: perhaps the goal was too broad, the timing was wrong or the athlete needs another kind of support. Adjust together instead of assigning blame.
Week 4: continue, adjust or end
Review whether the meetings are useful and respectful, whether the schedule is realistic and whether the athlete wants to continue. A month is a review point, not a requirement that the relationship end. If ending, agree a clear closing conversation or follow the program’s process.
If you have not selected a mentor, begin with the mentor checklist.