In the journey of life and business, the value of mentorship cannot be overstated. After years of experience and the ultimate success of selling my company, I’ve chosen a path that many find curious – mentoring.
… why do I do it?
Simply put, it’s a role I cherish deeply, offering both a chance to give back and a way to stay engaged and inspired.
I want to be the person I never had…
People often ask me why, after having sold my company and retired, I now mentor others. The simple answer is I absolutely love it. I get to meet all sorts of people working in all sorts of industries. Every day is something new and it really keeps me switched on.
The other reason is I wish I’d had someone like me when I first started out. I’m sure I would have achieved more, grown a larger company and made significantly fewer mistakes, if I’d had an experienced hand on my shoulder guiding me.
Mentorship Benefits
A good business mentor can be a powerful asset for any entrepreneur or business owner.
Here are some of the key things I wish I’d had help with:
Share experience and knowledge: Mentors have typically been through the trenches themselves and can offer invaluable insights based on their successes and failures. This would have helped me avoid common pitfalls and make better decisions for my business.
Provide guidance and support: They can act as a sounding board for your ideas, helping you to brainstorm solutions to problems and develop a clear direction for your business. Not being in the business allows a mentor to have a completely unobstructed view of what’s going on. They can bring a clarity to situations that no one inside the business can.
Challenge you to grow: A great mentor won’t just tell you what you want to hear. They will push you outside your comfort zone and help you develop new skills and capabilities. I often wonder if I had access to a mentor, would we have tried other routes to growth earlier than we did?
Hold you accountable: Staying motivated and focused can be tough, especially when facing setbacks. A mentor can help you stay on track and accountable to your goals.
Expand your network: Mentors often have a wide network of contacts that can be helpful for your business. They can introduce you to potential investors, partners, clients, or any number of specialists who can solve issues. This would have been invaluable to the younger me. I now open my black book of contacts, curated over 30 years, for my clients every day.. I definitely don’t have all the answers, but I know someone that does!!
In short, a great business mentor can be a trusted advisor, confidant, and cheerleader who can help you take your business to the next level.
Key Takeaways
- Mentorship offers a unique blend of personal experience, knowledge sharing, and guidance that can dramatically steer the course of an entrepreneur’s journey.
- A mentor provides not just advice but challenges, accountability, and an invaluable network, propelling you toward greater success.
Closing Summary
In essence, being a mentor is about being the person filling the gap I once faced and offering the guidance, support, and resources that can make all the difference.
Through mentorship, I not only share my journey but also help shape the paths of others, fostering growth, innovation, and success. It’s a role I embrace with passion, knowing the impact it can have. Let’s continue to mentor and be mentored, building a future where every entrepreneur has a guiding hand to lead them forward.
Over to You!
Have you worked with a Mentor, or been one? How has mentorship shaped your journey? I invite you to share your experiences and the impact mentorship has had on you.
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