MENTORSHIP: A cornerstone of a business
People always say to you; do you have any regrets? Or if you could go back in time what would you change? For me, it would be, to realize the true value of a mentor sooner and get some sooner. I never honestly thought a mentor was important or needed, or perhaps it was that maybe I was too proud to ask for help. The fact of the matter, is that now I understand just how important they are to have and to work with.
If I would speak to my past self, it would be to say, ‘buddy, swallow your pride and do what is best for your future, find a mentor’. Having a mentor will help you in multiple ways;
1. Encouragement
a. You can draw from within only so much encouragement to keep you going. If you have found yourself an experienced mentor who has multiple successful and failed businesses under their belt, you will be able to draw from that person some true and honest encouragement.
b. Having that invaluable encouragement from someone who is seasoned, will help you weather those failures or missteps so much easier.
2. A mentor will help you stay in business longer
a. When you take the time to look at business statistics on how many businesses fail, those that succeed, from them the number is much higher, those with mentors.
b. A mentor will also help you navigate through failures and missteps to ensure that you can continue in business.
3. A mentor will help you develop stronger EQ
Emotional Intelligence is something which is priceless, which you can only find in a seasoned Entrepreneur. They are likely to have much more emotional control over their decisions when they face challenges. They will help young or inexperienced entrepreneurs through the challenges that we all face, but navigate successfully.
4. Networking Opportunities
When you compare an inexperience entrepreneur with an experience entrepreneur, just how many years that experienced entrepreneur has of networking and connections, you can truly understand just how valuable a mentor is. Even if you have 10% access to their network, that will provide you with massive advantages for your business.
5. A mentor gives you reassurance
There are many proven studies that show just how valuable a mentor is, the reassurance that they can give you with your worries and concerns and decision making. Self-confidence is extremely important with Entrepreneurs, but having a mentor gives you a massive boost of reassurance which is invaluable.
6. Gain experience not shared in books.
Experience is a priceless commodity, something that is invaluable to any business owner. There is only so much life experience someone can get from a book. It is an unspoken truth as well, that most mentors and writers won’t provide all the secrets and information to their audience. Mentorship is one sure fire way to gain invaluable life and business experience from its true source, the way it is intended to be delivered and not interpreted from pages.
7. You’re more likely to succeed with a mentor
It is a proven fact that having the right mentor is a direct line to giving you a better chance to succeed. The valuable connections, the timely advice, the invaluable guidance and direction on decision making, the emotional management; together with mental and spiritual guidance will place you directly at the front of the cue to success.
Everything I have learnt in business is something that is priceless and in my opinion is my responsibility to pay it forward to another budding entrepreneur, like was done to me.