11 Ways Mentors Are Essential To Your Success

YEC-MentorQUESTION: WHAT IMPORTANCE WOULD YOU PLACE ON HAVING A MENTOR IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE?

FOLLOW THE PARALLEL PATH

“Having a business and life mentor is not only important, it’s essential. Entrepreneurs are very close to our business and a mentor is someone who can see things from a distant and different perspective. A key to success is surrounding yourself with people who are further along the life and career path than you are; just remember to choose mentors who are going in a direction you aspire to go.”

YOUR PROBLEMS AREN’T NEW

“The best thing for me about having a great mentor is that I always have someone to remind me that my challenges are not new. At our lowest points, we are susceptible to think that no one has every been through our pains. Mentors are there to help us snap out of it and stay focused on achieving business and personal success. Also, hearing how the mentor handled situations acts as a guide for me.”

– Lawrence Watkins | Founder & CEO, Great Black Speakers
A PIECE OF PERSPECTIVE

“A mentor is so valuable for giving you the much needed perspective that we tend to lose in life and business. By reminding us how far we’ve come and that these challenges can be overcome, mentors can boost confidence, redirect our paths and help celebrate big wins.”

IT’S AN INVALUABLE INVESTMENT

“My mentors have provided me with more guidance, strategies, insight and connections than all other resources I’ve been exposed to combined. Finding the right mentor who is truly interested in your success and your goals is one of the most powerful things you’ll ever do as an entrepreneur.”

– Travis Steffen | Founder, WorkoutBOX
TAKE THE ULTIMATE SHORTCUT

“Experience may be the best teacher, but your mentor’s experience is the best teacher of all. That’s because getting the right mentor is like taking the ultimate shortcut. You can learn from their mistakes without repeating them yourself, and you can model your actions based on their successful formula.”

– Pete Kennedy | Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Main Street ROI
LEARN FROM OTHERS’ MISTAKES

“Having trusted mentors for your business and life allow you to learn from others’ mistakes instead of having to learn them on your own. Some mistakes are unavoidable (if only because we’re all too stubborn to learn from others sometimes!) but even a few avoided mistakes will save time, money and sanity.”

– Alexis Wolfer | Founder/CEO, The Beauty Bean
MENTORS AREN’T BUSINESS ADVISERS

“Every startup has formal and informal advisers, whether they’re professors, investors, partners, family or friends. As an entrepreneur, you will often have to make choices that are good for the business, but possibly bad for you. Most advisers focus on the company. It is critical that you find a personal mentor that has your best interests — not those of the company’s — in mind.”

– Aaron Schwartz | Founder and CEO, Modify Watches
ACCELERATE YOUR LEARNING CURVE

“By running a business while in college, having a mentor has taught me way more than any of my professors have ever. Granted, I didn’t pay much attention in class when I should, but there’s nothing that beats real world advice, perspective, and networks. All in all — get a mentor!”

– Kenny Nguyen | Founder/CEO, Big Fish Presentations
POSITIVELY BIASED POINT OF VIEW

“Someone who offers actionable advice and has a positively biased point of view, who really believes in you, is invaluable. Turning to a mentor often means the difference between giving up and moving forward. I don’t know if I could have achieved success without my mentors to challenge me, push me, and help me keep my eye on the ball.”

FIND YOUR OWN GANDALF!

“What would the LOTR hobbits have done without him? Think of yourself no differently. Those with wisdom in this world don’t have it to keep for themselves but to share with others, and all are grateful to do so. On this journey of entrepreneurship and this journey of life, the stakes are too high not to have someone to help guide our steps. Mentor: absolutely necessary. Long white beard: optional!”

– Luke Burgis | Director, ActivPrayer
WORK/LIFE GUIDANCE WORKS

“Find a mentor who has balanced life with business. Work/life balance is extremely important, and if a mentor can help you take a step back and look at the big picture, it can be one of the most valuable assets in life.”

 

The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library and email lessons. 

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3 Comments

  1. 1

    Hi,

    Perspective. Wow how important.

    Today was a rough one early in the day. After taking a breath, and walking around here in Bangalore, India, then after chilling for a bit and following a few of my online mentor’s latest posts I got what I needed.

    When times get tough a mentor has been in that exact spot.

    These guys see the brilliance in you.

    They will not let you quit.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Ryan

  2. 2

    Wonderful article for entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to know better,do better and go further. Nothing impacts your life quite like a mentor! If you do not have one,seek one out,quickly! Mentors are invaluable to your success and ongoing development and growth.

  3. 3

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