I admit it. Without my mentors I would not be where I am today. You have to have people in your life who can see your blind spots…AND who can see your greatness.
And what’s funny is, when I think about each time the perfect mentor showed up in my life, there is not one case where the timing was convenient or the investment was comfortable.
In fact I can flat out say, it’s ALWAYS been inconvenient and it’s ALWAYS been uncomfortable.
Now I say, with conviction, that if it’s convenient and comfortable it’s just not a big enough stretch. So I no longer use those as indicators of whether to take action.
I remember two years ago when I took a huge leap into a mentorship program. I was sitting at a conference, the opportunity presented itself and my heart leapt. I tried to suppress the desire and inner knowing that was coming up inside me to run forward into the program, but I couldn’t suppress it. I remember thinking to myself, “Lisa, you’re 40 years old. No one’s come knocking on your door, handing you your big life. If you don’t take the reins now and get out there with your blessing in a big way, when will you?”
So, I took the leap, I found the money…and you know the rest.
I’ve had so much success from working with the right mentors that people often ask me what I consider when choosing one. Here are three things I look at, and recommend you consider, before jumping in:
1. Do you trust them? You’ll feel this one in your gut. Is he or she authentic? Do you believe what they say? It’s easy to fall for a mentor when you like what they are doing, but make sure you trust them too. You’re going to have to get vulnerable and show them your weak spots to have real breakthroughs, and if you don’t feel like you can let your guard down, you won’t be able to.
2. Do they inspire you? This one you’ll feel in your heart. Do they make your soul sing? Is their vision big? Are they blazing the trail that you want to follow? Do you think bigger when you hear their words and see their action?
3. Are they still relevant? Are they still in the trenches doing what they’re teaching? Some people are out there teaching what they haven’t actually done for years. Or, they’re coaching in an area that they don’t have winning results themselves. The business world has changed drastically; you have to consider whether what they’re teaching is going to work today, and a great way to tell is if they are using their own strategies to get big results themselves.
Bonus Tip
After you’ve chosen your mentor, commit 100%. Don’t keep looking around, second-guessing your choice, asking all of your friends if you did the right thing. Stay focused and master the strategies your mentor is known for.
Choose your mentor wisely, and then let his or her proven strategies work their magic for you!
How have you benefited from working with a mentor? Let us know below.
Hmmm. This is all sounding comfortably familiar. I am now firmly committed to mentorship with Lisa. As a physician, I have had many instructors and important influences over the years, though never a true “mentor.” Now that I am ready to share my blessings on a grander scale, Lisa has come into my life at the perfect time. I am certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is the right time, Lisa is the right person and together we will create magic.
It’s going to be a fun, amazing year of growth and hard work. I know that I will look back on the decision to jump in(which was actually a “done deal” before I even heard the details)as one of the most important moments of my life. Thanks for being there when I was ready for you Lisa!
Some of the concepts in this post are exactly what I’ve suggested to people when they are hiring a Realtor. “Choose carefully, then trust!”
I’m enjoying reading the articles here and watching the videos. (I heard about you, Lisa, from Frances Flynn Thorsen a day or two ago.)
Mary