[THREAD] How To Find A Mentor (No Matter What Industry You'…

1/ Don't obsess over finding The Expert.

This is the BIG mistake anyone looking for someone to "mentor them" makes.

All you need is to find someone who knows the very-next-thing you want to learn. Technically, anyone "a little bit further along" can be your mentor.

2/ Start to see everyone around you as A Mentor

- Your co-worker with 1-2 yrs more experience is a mentor
- Your family friend who is always telling "war stories" is a mentor
- Your neighbor, cousin, aunt, uncle who has done what you're trying to do, can all be mentors

3/ Start with 1 question

Mentorship isn't a formal agreement. You don't ask, "Will you be my mentor for life?"

The key is to ask 1 question. See if the person gives you guidance.

Take that guidance. Apply it. Go back and ask a 2nd question. See if they reciprocate.

Repeat.

4/ True mentorships are mutually beneficial

Mentors want to share what they know with people who listen carefully & apply their wisdom.

Why?

It allows the mentor a "2nd chance" at walking their path, imagining what might have happened if they'd known what they know now, sooner

5/ Listen more than trying to "prove yourself"

Mentors stop giving guidance when they feel the person they are trying to teach isn't listening.

After all, why keep trying to teach someone who *clearly* already has all the answers?

Shut up & listen

6/ If you find a mentor, respect what they're giving you

If you find someone generous enough to share what they know, it is your duty to honor the relationship by implementing the knowledge & prove their time wasn't wasted.

Don't take it for granted.

7/ Mentors can be found in EVERY industry.

As a teenager, my 1st mentor was a pro World of Warcraft player. I sought him out b/c I wanted to go pro too.

1.5 years later, I had surpassed him and became one of the highest-ranked players in North America.

Mentorship = key

8/ Mentors want to see YOU are investing in YOURSELF

A lot of people want mentors before they've even taken the 1st step themselves.

But mentors are like investors: they want to see your venture is up-and-running before they get involved.

Get some traction on your own.

9/ Mentors will become lifelong friends

Ask 1 question. See if they reciprocate. Implement what you learn. Ask 2nd question. See if they reciprocate. Implement what you learn.

Repeat this process for years with someone and THAT is how a true mentorship bond is formed.

Fin.