5 Tips to Finding a Good Mentor
Anyone who wants to experience success in his or her field can benefit greatly from having a good mentor. As we know the benefits of having a mentor, it is just as important in understanding how to go about choosing a mentor for yourself. Choosing the wrong mentor can not only slow down your progress in the journey that you are on, but can also steer you in the wrong directions or give you the wrong advice. We’ve compiled a list of the 5 best things to do when choosing a mentor.
1. Make a List
Make a list of people in your community who are already successful. These people should be older with a good track record for success. You can find these people by reading your local newspaper or by attending a few seminars or networking events. Also, go to some of your favorite places around your community and find out who is in charge of running those places. This list is a great start in finding a great mentor.
2. Reach out
After you’ve made your list of possible people who you’d like to seek advice from as a mentor, reach out them. This can be something as simple as an e-mail introducing yourself, or even a written letter. In today’s age, however, an e-mail is the most convenient. You can simply let them know who you are and what your goals are. Let them know that you respect them and are seeking a mentor to help guide you down a similar path. It is very likely that your message will be well-received.
3. Offer to help
A person who is in position of becoming someone’s mentor may have such requests coming in other than yours. This can happen if the person you are seeking out is very successful. It can be very beneficial in your case to offer to help out the mentor you are seeking. Let them know that you want to help them and ask what you can do for them. This will earn you respect and give you a leg up.
4. Be Grateful, Kind, and Courteous
It is very important that you be grateful that the person you are seeking offer his or her time for you. Always show courteousness and kindness to the person who you are asking to be your mentor. This also, will earn you respect and deem you a good candidate for mentoring.
5. Be Persistent
If you really want someone to be your mentor, don’t give up on them. Sometimes you have to prove to them that you want them to be your guide, and doing all of the steps above will definitely put you in the right light. However, don’t be afraid to reach out a second or third time, or offer help more than once. This persistent attitude shows that you really want to learn from this person, and they will see this and respect you for it.
The steps above will get you on the right path towards finding a great mentor. Please check out our book The Millionaire Mentor for more tips, advice, and leadership skills that will also help you along your journey.
