How to Pick Your Next Mentor

The first step to picking a mentor is knowing what you want to accomplish and where you want that to take you. This allows you to focus on exactly what your next step is and who is the best fit to learn from.

At the same time you want a mentor who challenges your thought process and your beliefs because there will be a shift required to get you from where you are now to the next level.

So allow yourself to be challenged. If you agree with everything your mentor tells you, what could they possibly be teaching you that you don’t already know? Wouldn’t they just be confirming what you already think? And that won’t do you any good.

You do want to look for a mentor that fits your values and your vision as closely as possible.

I would have no problem discussing a differing opinion with any of my mentors. Those are the kind of people I choose to learn from. If they weren’t secure enough in themselves to tolerate students having their own thoughts, I wouldn’t be mentoring with them.

Not everyone feels that way. Personally, I’m fine with it, as long as it is done in the spirit of growth and greater understanding. I think most other mentors would feel the same.

I often have coaches, experts, authors and speakers take my teleseminar courses or come to my live events. I would encourage anyone who takes my classes or comes to my events to be a critical thinker. There may be some mentors out there who want their mentees to follow every word they say blindly. I don’t think that’s a healthy thing for either of us.

When picking a mentor you’re striving for a fine balance.

* You’re looking for a mentor you respect

* You’re looking for a mentor who has new ideas

* You’re looking for a mentor who has a different slant on things

* You’re looking for a mentor who offers thought provoking and challenging lessons

Whether it’s a one on one conversation, group mentoring or a large live event, the process for deciding on your new mentor is the same.

You also want to make sure your mentors are growing and changing, learning and expanding their area of expertise or you will quickly outgrow the need for their mentoring.

If you’re choosing to be mentored in a specific process, when you have mastered that process it’s time to upgrade with that mentor to take you to the next level if they offer it, or find your next mentor.

It’s a great way to learn as long as you don’t linger too long at the same level. Many people get into this situation and then are afraid to move on because they’re comfortable where they are and the people they’ve met. Staying in this level of mentoring long term is not healthy.

Look for mentors who bring you into their fold and continue to support you as you grow by offering addition educational opportunities. With this approach, you are following in the footsteps of your mentor as they grow and share information they are learning with you. This is a long term, healthy relationship.

You must have a clear vision for your life and your business. Without a concrete plan of where you’re going, how can your mentor get you there? And…you have no way of measuring what your results are from your mentoring!

Don’t leave it up to a mentor to tell you what you want, that’s not their role. You tell them what you want and they will help you get there.

Without a plan, how do you know when you’re going in the wrong direction? How do you know when you’ve reached the end of that particular road? How will you know when you’ve arrived, if you have no destination?

If you are serious about creating the life you want to live and the business that will provide you the income you desire, you need to make it happen. It won’t happen by itself. You need to create a blueprint for you life and a concrete plan to make it a reality. Then find the mentor to take you there.

Don’t procrastinate, do it now. It’s your life, create it!

Until next week, I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Just comment on this post on my blog.

If you would like personal mentoring, send me an email detailing what you would like help with.  As your mentor I hold a bigger vision for you than you hold for yourself.  When you have faith and a team that believes in you, it gives you courage.  When you don’t have to do it all yourself, all things are possible for you.  Commit today to go for your dream 100%.

Lynn Pierce, the Success Architect, has taught people how to combine business and personal development to reach the pinnacle of success and live the life of their dreams for over 25 years. In addition, she is also the founder of one of the most exciting annual events for women entrepreneurs, “Empowered Women’s Business  Summit“. Now she shares her keys to success and life mastery with you. You can get the first five lessons of “Change One Thing, Change Your Life: A Personal Transformation System” at http://www.yourbreakthroughtosuccess.com

I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on my blog where I’ll also post this article.
http://www.LynnPierce.com