Article: Some mentoring relationships may operate on a consistent weekly schedule, while others are less rigidly structured. In any case, try not to force mentoring sessions into times or places full of distractions, or when one or both of you are exhausted or preoccupied. Pick a good place to mentor them in. You want to keep their attention on you, without them getting bored or their attention wandering. For school students, a library would be the traditional choice, and a good one too - it will be quieter than other places, there may be room to spread out books or papers, and if you need a book you're in the right place! Make sure you are always prepared for a mentoring session. Don't try to squeeze in some mentoring when you're distracted by a dozen other things, and reschedule a weekly session if necessary when you've been unable to properly prepare. A delayed but fully engaged session is far more beneficial than a half-hearted but on-schedule one. Even if you combined the world's most effective mentor with the world's most eager mentee, you wouldn't see some sort of immediate transformation. Mentoring is about incrementally laying the groundwork for lasting change and self-improvement. It's not a race or a competition; it's a process, and it requires patience from both sides. Rome wasn't built in day, and your mentee won't be transformed after one session either. Whether they are fast or slow learners, remain calm. If they're not getting something, try to explain it in different ways until they do - or just come back to it later. Establish ground rules early on regarding mutual respect and accountability. Create an atmosphere in which some degree of personal sharing can occur and so-called "stupid questions" can be asked, but define the roles of mentor and mentee and the proper nature of interactions between the two. The mentee isn't the only one who might question their abilities or results. There will be times when you'll feel like you're not doing a good enough job, or simply feel down because the results your mentee is working so hard for don't seem to be paying off. Remind yourself that you are doing your best, and you are making a positive difference in this other person's life. You don't have to brag about your own success and experience in your field, or assume that such things mean that you are automatically a great mentor. However, you should draw on these realities as confidence-boosters in your ability to achieve your goals, including mentoring. When your mentee is struggling, keep smiling and offer to help them. When they do succeed, feel proud of what they have accomplished with your help and congratulate them. Give yourself a pat on the back as well. Their success is something for both of you to be proud of. There will be times when you can't meet with your mentee face-to-face, and some mentoring relationships may in fact be conducted entirely from a distance. Even if you do lose out on some of the interpersonal connection in such instances, you can develop and effective mentoring partnership regardless. Stay focused on the core concepts of support, guidance, constructive feedback, and accessibility. In an online or similar distance-based mentorship, be available to your mentee but set boundaries as well. You don't have to respond at 2 am if that is not the nature of your mentoring relationship. Use online resources to your advantage in distance mentoring. Locate helpful links, pages, forums, videos, documents, games, and so on. But don't expect these to replace the core mentor-mentee connection that needs to be forged and maintained.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose a time and place that's good for both of you. Be patient and polite, and expect the same. Encourage yourself as well. Be a mentor even at a distance.

Quite often a person in a bad mood will leave their mark on those around them. This is often in the form of putting them in a bad mood, as well. People who are close to each other often mimic each other's behaviors, which can leave you feeling cranky. Instead, do your best to stop them from affecting your mood. One of the easiest ways to avoid allowing someone to control your mood is to simply stay away. You may need to leave the room in order to do this, but it is likely your best method. It can be hard to get space if the person lives with you like a parent or a spouse. In such a case, you might identify a "safe zone" in your house or a nearby park where you can get space. You may also want to develop an activity to help you release any negativity, such as going for a long walk in nature or taking a yoga class. There's a good chance you are not the cause of the person's bad mood. There's an even higher chance, however, that the situation will become worse if you take how the person is acting personally. Don't assume that the mood is because of you. You can find out, however, if you ask in a non-accusatory way. Ask the person if they want to talk about why they are in a bad mood. Listen to them if they agree and try not to get upset if they do say it has to do with you. Let it go if they decline your invitation to discuss the matter. For example, your boss might snap at you because he's feeling pressure from his own superior. You might ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?" If not, just give him a wide berth until he calms down. Sometimes you just need to get some space from a situation. If you are constantly around a person, then it is easy to get sucked into their mental energy. You don't have to let someone take their bad mood out on you. Even if they are your partner, you don't have to take it. Remove yourself from the situation if the person's behavior is getting out of line or you can't handle it anymore. You can tell the person, "I see that you are really upset about something, and I'm sorry for that. However, I need to walk away for a minute." Keep in mind that you can choose your level of involvement and sometimes it is best to just ignore the person. Not only is your physical safety a concern, but you should protect your mental health, as well. Being around someone who is constantly in a bad mood can affect your emotional well-being. Consider changing your situation if you find the person's moods are taking a toll on you. If their bad mood is affecting you, then this can have an impact on your physical health. It may be best for you to remove yourself from the situation if this is the case.
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One-sentence summary --
Avoid allowing the mood to rub off on you. Try not to take it personally. Remove yourself from the situation if you need to. Make your safety a priority.