I'M AVAILABLE ANY TIME. MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN.
How many of you have said that or have heard a coach say that? Everyone, raise your hand. I actually don't have a door in my office, so this happens to be true for me every day! However, I remember in college having coaches and professors tell me that their door was "always open," yet no one was ever in their office. I also remember that there were some coaches and professors that ALWAYS had people in their office. Both made themselves available, but why did only one of them have people in there?
YOU MAY BE AVAILABLE, BUT ARE YOU APPROACHABLE?
To be available is one thing, but to be approachable is entirely different. If you want to have a genuine impact on others you must be authentic in building a relationship with them. Listen to them. Learn from them. Grow with them. Love them. Once people sense that you care for them they will begin to allow you to mentor them. Your approachability will determine the significance of your availability. Don't just make yourself available, make yourself approachable!