{"id":1207,"date":"2011-05-22T08:57:09","date_gmt":"2011-05-22T15:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/?p=1207"},"modified":"2011-05-25T12:18:49","modified_gmt":"2011-05-25T19:18:49","slug":"need-a-mentor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/?p=1207","title":{"rendered":"Need A Mentor?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Need a Mentor?<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a mentor, or don’t have a good mentor you need one. Although we take credit for our accomplishments, as well we should, usually there is one or more people behind our success. We all learned to walk, and most of us think we did ourselves thorough endless ties and countless falls, but for those of you born in the video age, just go back and look at the countless hours that your parents put in holding you up, standing watch to catch you be fore you fell, and all the words of praise and encouragement for you not to give up. Most of the things we do in life are no different; more often than not there is a mentor behind our success, often without us realizing it.<\/p>\n

Most of us just blindly strike out in a random direction, and leave it to fate and happenstance to reach our goal. Think of a time when you were at your wits end, and it seemed there was no way you could move forward towards your goal. Throwing in the towel seemed like the only logical option when a friend, teacher, or a complete stranger stepped up to offer advice, encouragement, and a way out of your dilemma. The more complex and interdependent our society becomes the more a mentor is essential to our success.<\/p>\n

How do you find a mentor? There are as many ways to find a mentor as there are success stories. Some just appear as if by magic, others are searched for like the Holy Grail, others are forged through friendship. Sometimes we have mentors without even realizing it. Even have a friend get through a tough course in college? A mentor in disguise.<\/p>\n

In looking for source material for this article I came across a post by Mike Michalowiz who has a blog the Toilet Paper Entreoreneur his article \u201c44 Ways to Find a Mentor has some good information and references to other good sources. 44 Ways To Find A Mentor That he gleaned from other websites:<\/p>\n

1. Mentor, Melt Down!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I was under the impression that once you start a business, a mentor came along as part of the package. Wow, was I wrong! My experience with a mentor became jaded by his inability to provide good information that helped me make a qualified decision to grow my business.
\nI turned to entrepreneur accountability partners. Find other entrepreneurs who share the same passion and drive you have, and want to grow their business. You gain access to successful business strategies from other industries that can be crossed referenced and used in your industry.
\nIf you can\u2019t find a mentor, then turn to other entrepreneurs and join an accountability group. Hold weekly meetings, trade expertise and help one another reach their goals.
\nThanks To: James Taylor of Taylored Athletes, Inc.<\/a>
\n2. Find The Smartest Person You Know And Ask Them To Be Your Mentor.
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Everyone wants to be a mentor but only a few are truly qualified. Think about the smartest person you know in a business area related to your business and ask them to be your mentor. You may have to ask your network for a referral if you don\u2019t know anyone personally, but keep asking until you are sitting in front of someone who when they talk you keep thinking \u201cWOW \u2013 what a great idea\u201d because they can see more for your business than you could have ever imagined! Congrats \u2013 you have now found your mentor!
\nThanks To: Janet Powers of Diva Toolbox, LLC<\/a>
\n3. Heroine Junkie
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I\u2019ve personally never had a real life mentor per se, but have a whole committee of heroes and heroines who comprise my committee of advisors. Whenever I feel stumped, I close my eyes and imagine my these Board of Advisors sitting around my own personal Round Table. I\u2019ve varied them through the years, but they are my favorite spiritual leaders, inventors, social change leaders, psychologists, presidents, entertainers, simple\/down-to-earth folks, etc. Some are living, some are long dead; some famous, some not. I ask them what they\u2019d do in this situation, and I always get th3e answers I need.
\nThanks To: Nancy Irwin of Dr. Nancy Irwin, Psychotherapist\/Clinical Hypnotist\/Author\/Speaker<\/a>
\n4. Look For The F. A. A..
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Make sure they offer what I call the F.A.A. \u2013 Factual, Actionable Advice. First, the references they site need to be factual \u2013 university research, well known companies etc. Second, it needs to be actionable by you \u2013 things that you can accomplish given the skill set and time that you have. If the advice meets these criteria, you\u2019ve made a match.
\nThanks To: Julie Gallaher of Get on the Map \u2013 Local Search Marketing<\/a>
\n5. Find The Mentor Who Is Right For You
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Look for someone that has done what you want to accomplish, maybe not on the grandest scale but who has consistently succeeded with innumerable challenges. Look for this person in a company similar to yours that is not a competitor. Look in professional organizations where people with your similar goals meet to share ideas and grow. But also look in non-traditional places. You may find them at your church, book group, local pool or gym.
\nThanks To: Mary Lee Gannon of StartingOverNow.com<\/a>
\n6. Use Meetup.com
\nHow To Find A Mentor: The hardest part of running a business is taking care of all the responsibilities yourself. There are certain things you may find it hard to do. In cases like this you may get down about yourself. Or you may have that rough day.
\nThe way I overcame my trials is when I found a good mentor. I was lucky in that I found my mentor by way of Meetup.com. I found a group for writers who were self-employed and signed up. When I attended the meeting, I found someone who was in the business for years. We talked and he agreed to help me out. Ever since that time, if I need help, I just contact him by email or phone and he gives me the advice I need. There are many ways to find good mentors. You just have to do your homework and interview them until you find one you click with.
\nThanks To: Harry Husted of Creating Words<\/a>
\n7. President
\nHow To Find A Mentor: In 20 years I have had more than one mentor and most often more than one at a time.I find within my network, different people offer different perspectives, experience and assistance depending on what I need at the moment.
\nSome specialize in finance and PR\/marketing others with tech and communication and still others professionals in my field. While not exclusively or on purpose, many tend to be strong, successful women who know what they want, have achieved success themselves and are willing to share their knowledge and experience. We never set out to find each other, but by being open and willing to meet new people, we came together. The relationships are very satisfying and definitely a give and take.
\nThanks To: Barbara Talisman of Talisman Associates, Inc<\/a>
\n8. The Generous Guru
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Every professional association and chamber of commerce has at least one, a very seasoned expert who is willing to share his or her network and expertise with rising stars and beginners. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for the kind of coaching or advice you need. Do your homework and ask questions that plumb the depths of their knowledge. If there is no one local, and you belong to a nationally affiliated organization, get to know a counterpart in another city or market. They share you challenges, but can\u2019t and won\u2019t hurt you in your marketplace,
\nThanks To: Susan Bender Phelps of Odyssey Mentoring<\/a>
\n9. Actively Search\u2026duh?!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I know this sounds too easy, but when you\u2019re ready to find a mentor\u2026actively search.Buy books. Attend seminars. Get around the kind of successful people you want to be like.
\nOnce you start actively searching you\u2019ll find a mentor that\u2019s right for you (they\u2019ll be easy to spot when you\u2019re around them).
\nThanks To: Weston Lyon of Weston Lyon\u2019s Secret Society<\/a>
\n10. Get A Grip. Get Real. And Get On With It.
\nHow To Find A Mentor: (1) GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF
\nConsider your short and longer term goals \u2013 and STICKING POINTS. Do you know what they are? If not \u2013 start here. This informs what kind of coach or mentor you need, and what to work on. Revisit this question and recognise your needs will change over time.
\n(2)GET REAL ABOUT YOUR AVAILABLE TIME
\nDecide what kind of mentoring or coaching arrangement you want. One-off, for a specific problem, or ongoing, as a sounding board. You might benefit from spending time with different people at different times. This is easy: mentors can be found on mp3 tracks, DVDs, in books, and in person, over lunch. Often, on reflection, you will realise there is someone suitable in your immediate network.
\n(3)DON\u2019T WASTE THEIR TIME: GET ON WITH IT.
\nDo not be afraid to approach and ask for someone\u2019s help. But be committed to be totally honest, open to new ideas, and time sensitive. Their reward is often simply seeing you grow. Their time is precious; use it wisely, and find ways to give back something.
\nThanks To: David Horner of The Real David Horner<\/a>
\n11. Mentor Momentum
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I have had multiple mentors in my life. I also work with a lot of passionate professionals who are seeking support and hire coaches\u2026in my \u201cI can\u2019t help but observe relationship patterns\u201d ways, I have identified ways to make mentor relationships have momentum:
\n1. Make sure your mentor \u201cgets\u201d you and what you are trying to accomplish. Sometimes they have their own ideas which can be helpful or hurtful.
\n2. Be ready to invest in the success of a meaningful mentor relationship. Your mentor is not responsible for success \u2013 YOU are! Ask questions, learn, listen and be ready to be a critical thinker and use what makes sense from your mentor\u2019s mentoring!
\n3. Don\u2019t exhaust the relationship. Respect your mentor and know that their time matters. Be grateful for the experience and if great results happen, then it may be time to move on!
\nThanks To: Lorrie Thomas of Web Marketing Therapy<\/a>
\n12. X Marks The Spot
\nHow To Find A Mentor: My best mentor was a woman I interviewed for an article. She told me a line she had used with her boss\u2013 \u201cHere\u2019s where I am. (She placed an X on the organizational chart.) Here\u2019s where I want to be. (She made another X, much higher up.) \u201cWill you help me get there?\u201d I\u2019ve used that line or a variation thereof on many an occasion with great results.
\nThanks To: Marlene Caroselli of Principled Persuasion
\n13. The Three Elements Of Finding A Great Mentor
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Finding a great mentor requires the cultivation of three qualities: Courage, Humility, and Gratitude. It is easy to locate inspiring people that we look up to and wish to emulate. But the willingness to ask for help \u2013 which takes both courage and humility \u2013 sets those who actually find great mentors apart from the rest. And gratitude for what is received is the quality that ensures the success of the mentor-mentee relationship.
\nThanks To: Shannon Cutts of MentorCONNECT: Where Relationships Replace Eating Disorders<\/a>
\n14. Walking And Talking, Or Just Talking?
\nHow To Find A Mentor: When choosing a mentor, be sure to find someone who can prove that they did what they are potentially going to be coaching you on. There are far too many theorists out there, so avoid them and find someone who has walked their talk.
\nFor instance, if you are being coached on wealth or finances, ask to see some of their bank statements. If you are being coached on entrepreneurship, ask to see their business and marketing plans. And of course, ask for references from other people who have been coached by this potential mentor. They should be able to offer up contact info of real people who will back up the mentor\u2019s claims.
\nThanks To: Stacey Grieve of Why Are You Weighting?<\/a>
\n15. Your Network = Your Net Worth!!!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I expanded my network via networking groups, attending seminars & joining a mastermind. Within a few months I found 2 amazing mentors & they continue to guide me to this day. Remember you want to find a mentor that has walked the path before you. It takes getting out of your comfort zone & keeping yourself in success driven environments.
\nThanks To: Ungenita Prevost of Ungenita Beauty<\/a>
\n16. Be Found\u2026
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Some of my most helpful mentors are people who found me. Perhaps they saw a piece of themselves in me or they just saw me messing something up and felt sorry for a sista. So\u2026 allow yourself to be approachable, coach-able, and grateful for the investment. Tell others that you are hoping to find a mentor and when someone offers \u201cmentoring\u201d receive it graciously.
\nThanks To: Kelly Wilson of Victorious Living<\/a>
\n17. Bloom Where You Are Planted
\nHow To Find A Mentor: One of my mentors once told me I need to \u201cbloom where I am planted\u201d. The same holds true for finding a mentor, because chances are, your future mentor is someone you already know! To begin searching for a mentor, sit down and think of two things: a) what you hope to get out of a mentoring partnership, and b) the names of people you regularly interact with who may have the life experience and expertise you are seeking. Then decide who you want to approach and continue working your way through the list until you hear a \u201cyes\u201d (also remember, your mentor may not be on your list, but someone on your list may know someone who would be a great mentor for you!)
\nThanks To: Shannon Cutts of MentorCONNECT: Where Relationships Replace Eating Disorders<\/a>
\n18. Just Ask\u2026
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Don\u2019t be afraid to ask a seasoned professional for help. It\u2019s amazing how many successful business professionals want to help if you just ASK for help. Don\u2019t be afraid\u2026Ask a stranger.
\nThanks To: Andrew Fehlman of Slingshot Mobile
\n19. Mentor Monitoring
\nHow To Find A Mentor: It is not as much about finding a great mentor as it is staying in touch with one. Most of us have already met someone in our lives that inspires us to greatness, maybe a high school teacher or coach, our first boss, or a family friend. Our job is to stay in touch with these people, keep them in our lives so that we can continue to learn from their wisdom and benefit from their guidance as we grow.
\nThanks To: Kirsten Mahoney of Insight Out Life Coaching<\/a>
\n20. Get In Front Of The Right People
\nHow To Find A Mentor: The best way to find a mentor is to put yourself out there. Get in front of people you want to be associated with and take the first step in the relationship by approaching them. I found the most effective way to build a relationship with a mentor is to ask for their help, be blunt and tell them exactly why you want to meet them. I have solid list of mentors I can go to for business advice, marketing tips, branding ideas, and personal growth suggestions. What I did was just get in front of them, then introduced myself and brought up the idea of them helping me with something they are experts at. That is all you have to do.
\nThanks To: Jason Kirby of eBoost Consulting<\/a>
\n21. It\u2019s Gotta Be A Reciprocal Relationship
\nHow To Find A Mentor: One mentor I had is a woman who started her business about the same time as mine but surpassed me in the revenue she generated-I wanted to find out how she did it -so entered and paid for her coaching program\u2026it was worth every penny!
\nThanks To: Ann Ronan of Authentic Life Institute<\/a>
\n22. Fast Track Your Education With A Mentor
\nHow To Find A Mentor: When I need to be mentored in a specific area I usually reach out to one of my clients. I feel that it\u2019s really important to get mentoring from someone that has experience that is linked to your business footprint aka size. When I started my company, I worked with an MBA that was with Arthur Andersen (now Accenture) on my inventory issues. Thousands and thousands of dollars later, I found a firm that helped me with a process that was the correct fit for my firm\u2019s footprint. But it wasn\u2019t until I approached the CFO of one of my clients and asked for help, that I learned I needed to be working with someone that had experience with my specific issue. The best business is done when there is a relationship based on trust and respect. I have never asked to be mentored and lost the account or been turned down.
\nThanks To: Julie Fogg of Active Port<\/a>
\n23. It Comes With The Biz
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I happen to be blessed with many amazing mentors that came with the business! It wasn\u2019t until a few years into the business that I realized the impact they have on my industry and how lucky I am not only to have their wisdom and knowledge but friendship as well.
\nThere is a catch when it comes to finding a mentor\u2026They are out there and willing to support, train and encourage but YOU have to realize you NEED it in order to be successful.
\nWhen it comes to finding a good one make sure you respect them and their wisdom. I personally look for people that have been there done that. There is more knowledge from people that have experience rather than those that just talk the talk.
\nThanks To: Cheryl Hill of Simply Working From Home<\/a>
\n24. Daddy Mentor
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Over 20 years ago when I decided to open my own
\npublicity agency, I found my mentor at home\u2013my father! He had always been his own boss and worked in sales. He told me I wouldn\u2019t starve because he wouldn\u2019t let me and he didn\u2019t want me
\nwondering years later \u201cwhat might have been.\u201d He gave me emotional support and sound business
\nadvice.
\nThanks To: Miriam Silverberg of Miriam Silverberg Associates<\/a>
\n25. Find A Mentor \/ Be A Mentor
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Finding a mentor is easier than most people think. If you are a keen observer of others it is simple to identify those in your company or extended business community who have achieved the levels of success that you admire. Many of these titans of industry would be thrilled to help others, and getting them to agree to meet with you, and possibly mentor you only involves you reaching out to them. I have discovered that those who are most successful; financially, emotionally and spiritually are the most likely to want to help others excel. Remember, mentoring is not just about you finding people to help you up the ladder. It is an eco-system, and you need to also look for others whom you can mentor and extend a boost. Look for ways to be a mentor and you will find others will be most willing to be your mentor. Those who are selfish have a hard time getting help. Those who are giving by nature seem to get all the opportunities.
\nThanks To: Thom Singer of Author \/ Professional Speaker<\/a>
\n26. Who You Choose Is Everything
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Be careful about who you choose, a good mentor wants his apprentices to spread their wings and fly higher than they did. A bad mentor will poison your soul.
\nMy first mentor was an older guy who\u2019d been in the business for 30 years. I was very excited, and it was great to have someone to help guide me, and to share my small successes with.
\nThen I realized that most of his \u201cguidance\u201d consisted of telling me all about the contacts he had in the industry, while getting me to do free work for him. I eventually realized that this guy wasn\u2019t a real mentor- he was a user, and after speaking with others I found out he hadn\u2019t ever helped anyone out with good advice or introductions, despite his contacts and stature in the industry. He just liked having people worship him. It wasn\u2019t easy, but I moved on.
\nThanks To: Patrick Ortman of PatrickOrtman, Inc<\/a>.
\n27. You Have To Play To Win
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Finding a great mentor is like finding a spouse. It happens by being where the action is. A great mentor isn\u2019t going to come knocking on your door and say something like \u201cI had this vision that you needed a mentor \u2014 here I am!\u201d Great mentors are great because they are in action, working and making mistakes, fixing mistakes, learning and doing better. So you have to be where they are. I\u2019ve volunteered to be in groups and committees and worked for free, just to be close enough to the guru so I can learn from them and soak up all they have to teach.
\nTry it.
\nThanks To: Ivana Taylor of DIYMarketers.com<\/a>
\n28. Interview Your Would-be Mentor
\nHow To Find A Mentor: One great way, I have found recently, to finding a great mentor , is to call or email the people you admire in your field and ask to interview them for some article or blog you are writing or some book project you are making or even just because you admire them, and in the process, you get to share your own ideas, expertise, confidence, humility and thirst for learning, which makes them want to show you more of their wisdom.
\nThanks To: Kundan Chhabra of Experiencing Divinity, Sharing Awakening<\/a>
\n29. They Have What You Want
\nHow To Find A Mentor: The best qualifier for a mentor is that \u201cthey have what you want.\u201d Regardless of industry, position, or sex, my greatest mentors have demonstrated the behavior, attitude and success that I wanted for myself. Looking for a mentor or coach in general, is rarely enough to inspire the work it takes to benefit from that relationship. Willingness to hear criticism, direction and\/or encouragement and make the desired changes is most often present when the \u2018seeker\u2019 can identify the outcome they are looking for and know that their supporter has realized those things in their own life.
\nThanks To: Rhea Cook of Ex Machina Design x Marketing<\/a>
\n30. Challenge Your Thinking
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I have many mentors in my life from family, past bosses to clients and I think the best tip I can give is to always keep an open mind and seek out opportunities to connect. A very smart entrepreneur and mentor of mine (my Uncle) always told me that, \u201cTeachers will appear when the student is ready.\u201d It can sound cliche, but any experience is an opportunity to find a mentor and you can not and should not discount anyone because of their background, age or career that may be different from your own. Challenge your own thinking. You learn the most and grow in business and personally when there is diverse life experience brought to the table.
\nThanks To: Amy Kauffman of BlueBird Public Relations<\/a>
\n31. Hold Me! ( Accountable )
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Looking for a great mentor to guide you in your business? Consider an accountability partner.
\nI have one that I met over 3 years ago at a professional conference for our industry (she does the same work I do, but across the U.S.) and we\u2019ve been holding each other\u2019s feet to the fire, sharing ideas, acting as a sounding board, creating material together and serving as mentor\u2019s for each other on a weekly or bi-weekly basis ever since. Cost: $0 Results: Priceless!
\nThanks To: Debbie Rosemont of Simply Placed<\/a>
\n32. Combine Getting With Giving
\nHow To Find A Mentor: People are much more inclined to help you long-term if they are getting something valuable in return. What works better for me is to collaborate with someone who has the skills and knowledge I need and wants to learn a little bit from me, too. I found my mentor\/partner while doing some business research online and we\u2019ve been working together every other Monday for 3 years now. It may take a while to find the perfect fit, but the give-and-take of the relationship will provide huge dividends for both of you.
\nThanks To: Betsy Talbot of Married with Luggage<\/a>
\n33. Be Mindful That You Need A Mentor
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I found my mentor in Jim Horan, creator and author of The One Page Business Plan. Key to this was being aware that I needed a mentor and recognizing that Jim could be the one. When the opportunity arose he offered his help and I took it. Jim has a way of asking the tough questions and I am naturally motivated to think and respond. He was instrumental in causing me to move from a generalist to going back to my roots and creating my niche business.
\nThanks To: Bart Gragg of Blue Collar University<\/a>
\n34. My Mentor Does Memorable Marketing With Me
\nHow To Find A Mentor: At the embryonic stages of starting my business I was fortunate enough to meet a graphic designer who has a similar background of working in a corporate environment and then left to start her own business like me. We\u2019ve been working together on many creative projects and because she\u2019s had a successful business in the past, she\u2019s continually giving me new ideas on how to run my own business. My clients love the work we\u2019ve been doing and it\u2019s always a win-win situation. Find an experienced associate or partner you might like to work with and they can be the best mentors around!!
\nThanks To: Janet O\u2019Connor of O\u2019Connor Creative<\/a>
\n35. Listen To Your Gut
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Finding a mentor who\u2019s a good fit for you may take a little legwork but it\u2019s well worth the extra work. Here are several tips to help you along your journey:
\n\u2022 Make sure the person isn\u2019t trying to push his or her agenda but is focused on what is best for you.
\n\u2022 Let your mentor know how you\u2019d like him\/her to help you so there are no surprises, on either side, down the road.
\n\u2022 Take your potential mentors to lunch (or for coffee) and see how it feels to be in their presence. When you think about working with this person as a mentor, how does it feel? What does your gut say? If your head says \u201cyes\u201d and your gut says \u201cno,\u201d listen to your gut.
\n\u2022 Be clear on your values in business and in life, in general, and choose a person with similar values.
\nThanks To: Ellen Brown of Wellness Journeys: A Holistic Approach to Coaching<\/a>
\n36. Your Personal Board Of Advisors!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: ESTABLISH A PERSONAL BOARD OF ADVISORS! Think back over your business and college career. Who strikes you as a true \u201cleader\u201d? Whose opinion do you value? Who has provided you with personal and \/ or professional coaching and guidance that has been spot-on? Who can you trust? Who really knows you? It is probably someone for whom, if they called today to discuss a career situation, professional need or personal challenge, you would absolutely make time.
\nContact these people and make them your \u201csounding\u201d board. Nothing official is required, simply use them as resources when you need them!
\nThanks To: Justin Honaman of www.honaman.com<\/a>
\n37. It Takes A Villege\u2026
\nHow To Find A Mentor: I have found that no single person can ever been all things to a mentee because everyone is different. My advice is to find a few people (3 or 4) who can serve as a sounding board and role model. The point of having a mentor is to allow you to find your inner voice more easily\u2014not to copy what that other person would do. When you have several opinions, the correct option\/path\/choice is more likely to surface.
\nThanks To: Micha Star Liberty of Liberty Law Office<\/a>
\n38. Run Away From \u201cthe\u201d Way
\nHow To Find A Mentor: When anyone tells me they have the ONE and ONLY way to do something, and I HAVE to come to them, I turn and RUN!I prefer to work with someone who believes in what they are doing, knows it works, but recognizes there are many ways. Obviously, I\u2019m trying to learn new patterns and techniques, but I\u2019m not planning on joining a cult. Everything should filter through your gut; if it feels bad, get away.
\nThanks To: Kim Leatherdale of Creating Rewarding Relationships<\/a>
\n39. Mentors Are All Around Just Ask.. Don\u2019t Stalk
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Mentors are available for whatever you need whether business or personal and most don\u2019t consider themselves mentors they are just doing what comes naturally or maybe not so naturally to them. Join professional groups, network, go on twitter or facebook, get out there and observe people who have the traits and abilities you want to have. No don\u2019t stalk or follow them but get to know them and ask if they will help you achieve your goals. In return find a way to help them from a bottle of great wine to giving of your time. They are doing you a favor be appreciative.
\nThanks To: Harriet Cohen of Training Solutions<\/a>
\n40. Sometimes They Are Big Time Musicians
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Finding a mentor is difficult. I\u2019ve taken a different approach and picked a handful of successful people to study, read about and learn from. Among them is Jimmy Buffett. Sounds goofy, right?! Buffett has to walk a fine line between his persona of a rum soaked island hopping Margaritaville mogul and the extremely hard working and focused businessman behind the scenes. That\u2019s the juggling act when you\u2019re running a lifestyle brand (live the lifestyle, but stay focused on growing the business)\u2026hence the reason I look to Buffett as I grow my own lifestyle brand. He hasn\u2019t built a mutli-million dollar brand \/ empire by drinking margaritas on the beach all day, but certainly can choose to kick back and do just that whenever he pleases now.
\nThanks To: Rod Call of Snoloha<\/a>
\n41. Prove You Are Worthy Of A Mentor\u2026 And Be Innovative Too!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Build many relationships, show you mean business, be exceptionally candid and honest and be respectful of others time. Also look to be innovative with the relationship. I built a relationship over time with a successful businessman that also owned the office space we leased at the time. After he sold his primary business, I repeatedly offered him a desk, chair, and phone extension in my office at no charge. A place for him to \u201cgo to work.\u201d He finally asked if I was serious (I was) and he accepted. He comes and goes as he pleases. He listens, advises, coaches and even does some research for me. We eventually moved from the office building he owned and he moved with us!
\nThanks To: Glenn Phillips of Forte\u2019 Incorporated<\/a>
\n42. Payback
\nHow To Find A Mentor: Some of the best mentors are ones that I can offer something to. I know that mentoring is not supposed to be about what the mentor gets out of it, however, it is a way for the mentor to feel value for themselves and make you more valuable overall. For one mentor I took care of changing her typewriter ribbon, she was wise, just not mechanical.
\nThanks To: Monica Tombers of Just So!<\/a>
\n43. Network, Network, Network!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: As I was researching and planning my business, I spoke to dozens of people in a variety of relevant business groups, asking them to recommend a mentor for a start-up company. When the same name popped up a number of times from people I respected and who had thriving businesses, I felt confident I had found my mentor. I gave him a call, and he far exceeded my expectations.
\nThanks To: Susan Hawkins of Corner Stork Baby Gifts<\/a>
\n44. Just Ask!!!
\nHow To Find A Mentor: 1. Pinpoint someone who is successful (with a winning personality too) to be your mentor. Be it a family friend, college professor, or anyone you admire and respect in your community.
\n2. Can\u2019t find a winner in your circle? Switch things up and attend business seminars that feature leading entrepreneurs! Do your research. Introduce yourself to the Guest Speaker. Have \u2018small talk\u2019 about how he\/she became successful. Keep it short, spicy and memorable. Be sure to exchange business cards, make eye contact with a firm hand-shake (BTW \u2013 It\u2019s a GREAT CLUE about personality).
\n3. Call or send a follow up a \u2018thank you\u2019 card highlighting something in your brief conversation and simply ask if they can be your mentor.
\nThanks To: Gale Peart of MyEliteGrocer.com<\/a><\/p>\n

These are some very helpful ideas on how to find a mentor. The important thing is that you realize that your odds of success are so much greater if you have a mentor lending a helping hand over the rough spots.<\/p>\n

The PracticaL Mentor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Need a Mentor? If you don\u2019t have a mentor, or don’t have a good mentor you need one. Although we take credit for our accomplishments, as well we should, usually there is one or more people behind our success. We all learned to walk, and most of us think we did ourselves thorough endless ties […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,1,109,18,140,11,111,19],"tags":[209,9,243,213,4,38,15,3,208],"class_list":["post-1207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abundance","category-advice","category-career-choice","category-mentor-advice","category-opportunity","category-professional-image","category-strategy","category-success","tag-abundance","tag-career-strategies","tag-finding-a-mentor","tag-goals","tag-interactive-career-advice","tag-job-experience","tag-mentor","tag-practicalmentor","tag-success"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1207"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1223,"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1207\/revisions\/1223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/practicalmentor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}