No matter how old you are, where you are in life, or how much money you have, a coach or mentor can be life-changing – both from a personal and professional standpoint.
So, where do you start?
Think of somebody that you admire. Somebody who is successful, does what you’re passionate about, runs a local business in your neighborhood, or an aunt or uncle. That’s where it started for me, with my Uncle. Just ask around.
Here is a great quote to consider when you’re searching for a mentor: “Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principle, especially of the wise, what they run away from and what they seek out.”— Marcus Aurelius.
Once you’ve found that person, ask them to breakfast or lunch. And be prepared with a list of questions, ideas, etc…, so that you are prepared for the conversation. A good place to start is by thinking about what guidance you want from the relationship: personal finance, relationships, career, etc. No matter what it is, be sure to share this with your coach/mentor. You’d be amazed at how flattering this will be to a lot of people and how much people want to help.
Here are some other questions you might also add to your list:
- What advice would you have given yourself at my age?
- What have been the keys to your success?
- Do you have any suggestions for books, podcasts, etc., that might help me get to where I want to be?
- I am having some challenges with {insert any challenge here}. Do you have any recommendations that I may not have thought of?
After meeting for the first time, if everything goes well and there’s a connection on both ends, ask them if you can meet again. One note here…be mindful of their time and always pay for breakfast/lunch.
Also, if your mentor recommends you do something (like reading a particular book), make sure that you share feedback with them the next time you meet. This shows that you are dedicated and serious about the mentoring relationship.
And don’t forget to say thank you!
Life is good.
Jeff
