power of a mentor | martin gover dot com

The Power of a Mentor.

Posted by admin on 11/16/09 • Categorized as internet marketing,success atitude

No-one creates a successful path by themselves. They follow someone.

“If you are looking for a path through a minefield – follow someone” – my old one legged father used to say.

It is possible, and it has happened, that an individual creates success by themselves, without help. Never without direction. There’s always someone or something leading them. A Hint a Tip. But sometimes without someone helping them directly. But its a painful process.And long.

The shortcut – find a mentor.

There are two types of ‘mentors’ – broadly speaking -

a) One who believes in you and ‘motivates you, who gives you a hand through the dark times, when your stuck, when its not working.Not money – but a psychological boost. Could be your mother? Often a friend, someone who may not have success themselves but believes in you.And wants nothing in return. These people will keep you going until you find -

b) Someone who has done what you want and will guide you. Directly or indirectly.These people will lead you to success.

If you are looking down a path that appears to lead to success – search out someone who has been down that path, and has the success you want – and follow them.

No matter what you want, no matter which path, if it is something you are going to be spending a lot of time with – a job, a career. Or something you want to create a life with – a business project -get alongside a person that is down that exact road, and see if you like the ‘success’ they have. Is it something you are prepared to labor for?

Always a good think in a job environment to see if staying is worth it.Check out the boss – does he or she have what you want? The money? The time? The Relationships?. Because if you stay – at best you’ll get what they have ( at worst of course you’ll get nothing – hey its a job)

That’s what seminars in you industry are good for, not so much the learning but getting around the ‘successful’ people in that industry and checking them out – do they actually have what they say they have? And is that what you ultimately want?

A tip again – in an entrepreneurial situation the most highly valued item is always Time. Do they control their time? Can they do what they want or does ‘the business’ dictate what they do?

In a job or career environment - go for the money. There is no time available to you.

When you find a Mentor, remember they have other priorities than to give you unending advice. So make it worth their while. Or at least make yourself visible from the crowd all demanding from them.

Offer them service, do they need a ride to and from the function? Do they need coffee? What can you do for them? If you can make yourself indispensable even for a day – they will remember.

Ask for help.

Ask for advice.

Ask for ten minutes of their time.

If they grant you that time – be clear on what you need to ask and what results you are looking for. Be clear and be concise.Be prepared. Write your questions down. You may have a lot of time that you can squander. They have created a high value on their time. Be aware of that value.

If you can form a business relationship, be able to ask them a question via email, be able perhaps to book a one on one phone time – great. Its very unlikely at first meeting – but it doesn’t mean you cant ask.

However it is always your responsibility to build that relationship.

Try and meet them at every seminar you can attend (not stalk – meet). If they have an affiliate program – be on it – sell it like crazy. Its your ticket to success – work it.

I repeat -Don’t stalk them. But show your determination to obtain information. And learn the difference between stalking and showing determination.

However that person does not ‘owe’ you anything. He or she doesn’t have to offer advice. Its up to you to earn it. (now if they are complete jerks – why did you want to be like them again?)

And remember when you are successful and someone approaches you -if they are sincere – offer what advice you can.

And lastly when you create success – form a team of people you can consult for business ideas – there is never a time in life when you don’t benefit from having a trusted circle of p[people to bounce ideas off. And the ones you learn to trust – those the people; -when they say you are out of line -LISTEN TO THEM.

Finding a mentor and being willing to bow to that mentor puts you most of the way to your goal.

The rest is just work