Despite some of the best information available on how to accomplish any task, most people still tend to ask their friends, neighbors, coworkers, and siblings for advice on key issues they may be facing. Too often, they ask the advice of others who have never triumphed over the specific hardship they are facing or who have never succeeded in their specific area of endeavor.
One of the main strategies of the successful is that they constantly seek out guidance and advice from experts in their field. Make a list of the people you would like to ask to mentor you. Approach them and ask for their help.
Do your homework
Look for mentors who have the kind of well-rounded experience you need to tackle your goal. When you start seeing a pattern of the same few people being recommended, you know you’ve identified your short list of possible mentors.
To contact possible mentors and ensure a successful conversation once you do, make a list of specific points you’d like to cover in your first conversation, such as why you’d like them to mentor you and what kind of help you might be looking for. Be brief, but be confident, too.
The truth is that successful people like to share what they have learned with others. It is a human trait to want to pass on wisdom. Not everyone will take the time to mentor you, but many will if asked. You simply need to make a list of the people you would like to have as your mentor and ask them to devote a few minutes a month to you.
Take action on your mentors’ advice
Mentors don’t like to have their time wasted. When you seek out their advice… follow it. Study their methods, ask your questions, make sure you understand the process — then, as much as is humanly possible, duplicate your mentors’ efforts. You may even be able to improve on them.
Be prepared to return the favor
Be prepared to give your mentors something in return; even if it’s something simple such as keeping them updated on industry information or calling with new opportunities that might benefit them, look for ways to give to your mentors. Help others, too. What a great reward to any mentor — to eventually have their former protege out in the world helping others to grow!
* Source: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield