Mentorship

If I wanted to learn how to surf, land a kick flip on my skateboard, or backflip on a motorcycle would I ask my Dad to teach me? Would I ask your Dad? Probably not. If I had unlimited access and resources I would meet with and allow the best in those respective sports to coach, teach and mentor me. I would seek out Kelly Slater, Tony Hawk, and Travis Pastrana because they are the experts, and there is nobody else better qualified to teach what they’ve done.

Now do you believe that I could accomplish the above goals if I listened closely to my mentor, worked hard, and not give up? I’m absolutely convinced that I could, and you should be too. My advice to you is to find a mentor, but make sure it’s the right mentor based upon your specific dreams and goals. If they don’t have the finances, lifestyle, relationships, marriage, or simply life that you want, find someone else to follow. If the fruit you’re looking for isn’t on their tree, go find another tree.

Everyone needs a coach and mentor, someone who is a few steps ahead along the same journey. Someone who can counsel you to avoid their mistakes, and advise you of all upcoming obstacles. They will stretch you to think more, do more, and be more than you thought possible. If they are willing to invest their time, expertise, and they are where you want to be along the journey, cherish that opportunity. Be open to their honest feedback, and execute their recommendations, because if you do what they’ve done you will eventually have what they have.

However, what would happen if you didn’t follow their advice? What would happen if you followed someone else, on a different path, who doesn’t have the results you want? Imagine if you listened to your friends, and took their advice about every decision you needed to make. Would you ever progress to the next level, or would you simply remain at their level. Would you ever earn that promotion, commit to a relationship, or start up your own business? It’s difficult to earn a promotion, if the advice you’re following is coming from the guy in the mail room. It’s hard to take marriage advice, from someone who can’t keep a steady girlfriend. How could you take business advice from someone who has only worked as an employee? If your thinking stayed the same and never stretched, your actions, attitude and performance would never improve. You would end up short of your goals every single time and get frustrated along the ride.

Doesn’t every parent want their child to surpass them in life? But if you’re only mentored by the people in your family, how can you surpass their lifestyle? They can only give you the information they have, and if it’s average information your outcomes in life will be average, its simple mathematics. The people in your life that love you, such as family, have protecting you as a top priority. Of course they never want to see you hurt, discouraged or disappointed, because they love you. If you discuss with them an out of the box decision, or an unconventional opportunity that you’re considering, their typical first reaction is to stop everything, not move forward, and go back to the status quo. That’s because it’s the safe route that avoids discouragement, disappointment, and possible failure. This especially happens when they don’t truly understand the decision, your reasoning, the opportunity, or the benefits. You can’t fault them, but trust your instincts, know that you have sound counsel from your mentor, and confidently press on towards your dream.

I’ve gotten some of my best advice from my mentors in life who were not so close to me. Who were not family members, but truly had my best interests at heart. They could mentor me in business, because they have already built successful companies. It’s very difficult to take advice from a business professor, who never actually owned a business. It’s also difficult to take business advice from a family member when all they’ve ever known is a nine to five job. However, the best advice from a mentor only comes from them knowing all of the information. A solid mentoring relationship only exists when both parties are completely open and honest with one another. Counseling incorrect information results in incorrect advice and recommendations. I’m sure you don’t want to make mistakes and your mentor doesn’t want to steer you the wrong way. So be cognizant of your words, make sure they are truthful, and your mentor will successfully lead you in the right direction.

One of the major keys to success is finding someone who is in life where you want to be. Then listen to them, do what they’ve done, and eventually you will have what they have. The difficult thing is getting on Donald Trump’s calendar. For some reason he has refused my lunch appointments, and probably will for you too. However, if the opportunity arises for you to work with a mentor who takes an interest in you, has accomplished what you are looking to accomplish, and will be honest with you, treat that relationship like gold and run with it to the bank. With a solid mentorship relationship in place you are well on your way to success.