Tweet

Do you have a mentor

Written by: Andrew Rondeau

Article Overview: Why should you use / not use a mentor?

Do you have a mentor

The dictionary defines a blueprint as: "A detailed plan of action. A model or prototype."

So what does a blueprint have to do with a having a mentor? When you are struggling in your personal life or in your career, it helps to be able to turn to someone whom you admire and trust - someone whom has traveled down the road you're traveling - and done so successfully.

You are not a failure, if you do

Having a mentor doesn't mean you're a failure or make you a lesser person. It makes you a smarter person - smart enough to realize that you don't have all of the answers and smart enough to seek out someone who can help you solve or deal with your problems and/or difficulties.

Heck, even Bill Gates has a mentor. It's true. Bill Gates's mentor is none other than Warren Buffett - one of the greatest living stock market investors and, like Bill Gates, a multi-billionaire. Warren Buffett's mentor was a gentleman named Ben Graham. Graham was an influential economist and is generally referred to as the "Father of Modern Security Analysis." So if you're seeking excellence in life and in business, try to find someone who already excels in that field and ask that person to be your mentor.

Don't take it personally

If for some reason that person refuses or is unavailable to mentor you, don't take it personally, because not everyone wants or has the time to be a mentor, or they may be already be mentoring one or more individuals and are unable to take on any more mentees. However, you can still learn from this individual by reading his books, listening to his tapes and watching his videos. Do this judiciously, and before
long, you'll actually find yourself starting to think like this individual.

Once you get to that point, when you find yourself in a jam, simply ask yourself what that person would do in your particular situation and proceed accordingly.

Can you have more than one mentor?

Absolutely! Having multiple mentors and a variety of social networks will actually expand your ability to
develop alliances.

In closing...

...it is certainly no accident that most highly successful people have mentors. So finding yourself a mentor could be one of the most important things you ever do.

Related Articles
  Why Small Business Entrepreneurs Need a Mentor
  How To Effectively Use Business Mentoring
  How to Find the Best Mentor for Your Needs
  Business Mentoring Programs
  The Success of a Mentee Is a Mentor’s Ultimate Reward

Article Tags: bill gates, billionaire, blueprint, dictionary, economist, failure, gentleman, mentees, mentor, mentors, personal life, prototype, security analysis, social networks, stock market investors, true bill, warren buffett



Related Forum Posts
Do you have a Mentor? - I have had mentor/mentee relationships throughout my academic and work career. As an entrepreneur I've yet to find a good match for a mentor in my field of business but am always on the lookout. I was wondering for all the young entrepreneurs out there; do you have a mentor?
The Value of Mentoring - Successful mentor pairings (in case there was any doubt as to the value of mentoring): 1. André Ouellet (President, Canada Post) mentor to Mark Whalen (Urban Organics and winner, Young Entrepreneur Award) 2. Marc Lefrançois (President, Via Rail Canada) mentor to Jeffrey Campbell (Core Networks, Inc. and winner, Young Entrepreneur Award) 3. Donald Kendall (former CEO of PepsiCo) mentor to John Scully (former CEO of Apple) 4. Harland Sanders (the Colonel) mentor to Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy's) 5. Stuart Friend (KMart manager) mentor to Wayne Sales (CEO of Canadian Tire) 6. Jim Rohn (author, motivational speaker) mentor to Anthony Robbins (author, motivational speaker) 7. Robert Patterson (CEO, National Cash Register) mentor to Thomas Watson (founder of IBM) 8. Henri-Paul Rosseau (President, Laurentian Bank of Canada) mentor to isabel Rodriquez and Yves Besner (i4design and winners, Young Entrepreneur Award)
Go out and get a mentor - This thread hasn't been discussed for about two months, and I'm surprised because it seems like excellent advice. Most people just starting out in business need a mentor - whether it's one or both of their parents who've run businesses of their own, a teacher or college professor, or even just a friend. Even if a person doesn't need help with the busness aspects, they might need to learn how to handle money - if they've never had a lot before, how to handle people, etc. So everyone should look for a mentor - someone who wants to be a mentor, of course!
Re: Simple Idea - Great Advice. - Thanks for the offer Cheryl. I agree with you that a mentor is important especially when first starting out. If it wasn't for the mentor I have I would not have been around for very long in the internet marketing business. Without her help I would not have survived at all. MichelleJ
Re: On Mentors - [quote="jvprosperity":2v0r5y3z]I've been blessed by having mentors naturally come into my life but if I wanted to approach one how would I go about developing the relationship and then asking them to mentor me?[/quote:2v0r5y3z] Hi Andy, From my past experiences, I find that mentors just gradually take you under their wing. I've never had to formally ask any of them to "mentor" me. For example, in "The Little Black Book of Connections", Jeffrey Gitomer says "Some of them actually want to help you and will take pleasure in helping you, as long as they feel you are both worthy and trustworthy. In other words, deserving" (pg 9). At the end of the day, the best way to get a mentor is to nurture your connections through mutual value exchange.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

RULE YOUR BUSINESS LIKE A SHINE STAR

Working Across Borders

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.