Five years ago I made the life changing decision to let go of my highly paid corporate role and the security it offered to follow my life’s passion. That passion involved helping other people release their fears, unlock their full potential and move towards a fulfilling life.
Even though I was a little nervous about boldly going where I had never been, I knew that I would succeed. Then I came face to face with reality. I realised that despite spending 22 years as a senior consultant to various businesses, I had no idea how to build and run my own successful business. So I decided that what I needed was a how-to-run-a-successful-business roadmap.
I read countless books, attended many seminars and webinars, and spent thousands of dollars on formal education, mentors and coaches in order to complete my roadmap. To be honest, some of that training was a complete waste of money. Yet it was still worth it because it helped me understand what works and what does not.
The Internet is full of information on how to run a successful business. However, mere accumulation of this knowledge is not enough. You need to filter the valuable information from the time-wasters, figure out how it relates to your specific goals and circumstances, and create an overall personal strategy around it. But the crucial missing element is that there is no accountability. And that is why you need a business mentor.
A good business mentor will find out where you want to be, show you the fastest way to get there and hold you accountable for your own journey. An excellent business mentor will also help you overcome any self-imposed limitations that are preventing you from reaching success.
The business mentors who worked for me were able to formulate a well thought out strategy based on my goals and then tell me what I needed to do and when I needed to do it. So instead of having a roadmap, I now have a “mentor GPS”. You will find my seven keys to finding and keeping a business mentor in the Tips & Strategies section below.
Once you have found a mentor, be committed and follow all his or her instructions even if you do not see the reason behind it at the time, and especially if it means stepping outside your comfort zone.
TIPS & STRATEGIES
THE 7 KEYS TO FINDING A BUSINESS MENTOR
- You do not always have to pay for a good mentor but if you do, consider it an investment rather than an expense. Many people want a mentor to help take their business revenue to the next level but feel they cannot afford one. Their focus is on saving money when in fact the reverse is true. You need to invest in a mentor to make money!
- Put the word out that you are ready to be mentored and make a decision to actively seek out a mentor. Ask your peers to refer anyone they feel would be a good match.
- Attend business networking sessions where business mentors and coaches give presentations. If you feel a connection with any one of them, then strike up a conversation to find out what they can offer.
- Be present where you think your mentor may be whether it is a physical location or online.
- Choose a mentor who has already reached where you are aiming to be. I mentor clients on how to go from start-up to six figures in 12 months because that is precisely what I achieved.
- Find out what your potential mentor earns. You definitely do not want to be mentored by someone who is in the same income bracket as you.
- Choose someone whose values are aligned with yours.