I always like to think of myself in the moment, here, today -- as a "bridge" between the me of yesterday and the me of the future. Every day that I inch along, I am evolving away from the person I used to be and I am embodying more of the person I am becoming: today is a day where I bridge the gap, where I bring myself simultaneously away from my past self and closer to my future self.

This is a guest post by Maria Palma, author at Online Business Resources and The Good Life (originally posted February 28, 2008)

Starting a business is an exciting time for any entrepreneur. It’s something new and it’s certainly another way to produce an income. However, how do you know that this is something you should be doing? If it is you want to do, then how do you stay motivated? What can you do to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes other business owners make?

Mentoring is a great way to share your gifts and talents with others who benefit from your own experience. When you've faced challenges along the way, you have an opportunity to learn from others who have overcome similar obstacles. As you gain more experience, it's time for you to give back and share your knowledge with the next generation. Here are five ways to be a mentor to a young woman in your life:

1) Support her networking.

Take your mentee to a networking function, conference, charity event, or social gathering. Help her meet others!

2) Schedule ongoing checkins.