The Best Way to Get a Mentor
Summary
- The best mentors often choose whom they want to mentor. They don't wait for people to come to them; instead, they seek out those they want to help.
- A lot of effective mentoring happens with people already working for the mentor. This brings natural opportunities for growth and learning.
- The easiest way to find a good mentor is to have a boss who is also a mentor. It's more practical than trying to persuade someone to take you on as an intern.
- I focused on proximity by consuming content like audiobooks, interviews, and books from successful people I admire.
- There wasn't one person who had all the answers for my success. Instead, I learned from various successful individuals, each offering different valuable insights.
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How To Take Action
I would suggest implementing a few key strategies to maximize personal and business growth without spending too much time or money. Here’s how:
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Seek Mentor-like Bosses: If you’re working or looking for a job, prioritize roles where your boss can also act as a mentor. This gives you a natural space to grow and learn every day. Look for leaders who invest in their team’s development and who have a history of nurturing talent.
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Proximity Through Content: You can get close to successful people by consuming their content. Listen to audiobooks, watch interviews, and read books by individuals you admire. This way, you’re constantly learning from the best without needing to meet them in person.
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Diversify Learning Sources: Don’t rely on just one person for all the answers. Learn from a variety of successful individuals, each offering different insights and strategies. This gives you a broader perspective and a toolkit of tactics to use as needed.
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Leverage Existing Relationships: If you’re in a job or have contacts with successful people, don’t hesitate to seek their advice. Use your existing relationships to gain insights and guidance. Sometimes, the best mentors are already around you, just waiting to be asked.
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Start Small: Implement what you learn in small steps. Pick one book, one interview, or one piece of advice and apply it. See what works and adapt as you go. This iterative approach is both low-cost and highly effective.
By focusing on these strategies, you can grow personally and professionally without a hefty investment of money or time.
