Goal for the new year to get a mentor?

Question

I recently had a post about my goals for 2020 and I have seen a good amount of people posting that their goal is to find a mentor. I am curious as to why so many people have this goal along with ideas and approaches to achieving this. I am not down playing its importance or saying these are bad goals or not necessary, I am more curious to understand the why.

Love to hear everyone's thoughts!

Jon Hill · Answer

@Shelleman Paulin I like you take on that. I think part of my confusion comes from people just saying they are looking for a mentor. If you don’t have a clear and defined reason for having one I can’t see how you would ever find one or if you did how do you know you selected the next one.

I like what you said about someone who has done what I am inspiring to do. I often think about this when I get negative feedback on ideas and immediately think, “is this person in a position on what to be in?” If the answer is yes I will listen much more intensely because they have discovered something I am looking for.

The piece on bringing value to them is often over looked. The people we are inspiring to be have a huge dollar per hour cost and if you expect to get it for free that is poor thinking.

Best of luck when you find one and I would love if you reached out once you find one!

Shelleman Paulin · Answer

@Jon Hill I am currently looking for a mentor. Well, maybe more than one. A lot of people have difficulties locating a mentor--someone with far more experience then they have who is willing to guide them--because while they are saying they want a mentor they don't really know what they want.  A great deal of people are really looking for someone to hold their hands and do all the heavy lifting.

Someone can be your mentor without the word ever being mentioned in conversation. Although I own a couple rental properties, I feel in order to be where I want to be and achieve my goals, I need to have the guidance of someone who's achieved it or is pretty close to it.  Whomever that person may be, they will have to have knowledge and experience that I lack.

What most people who are seeking mentors fail to realize is that YOU, the person seeking a mentor, need to bring value to the relationship as well, the mentor will decide what that is.

Honestly, in order to achieve that goal you have to just go out and reach out to people who are in a position you aspire to be in. It takes effort and will take some time. People who are being sought out for mentorship  have important things to do and their time is valuable. However, mentors thrive on helping people and seeing the end result of their product.

I'm sure there numerous people on BP that will help in that aspect.

I can't speak for others, but when this grasshopper finds a mentor maybe I'll let you know.

Jon Hill · Answer

@Lanora Bowman Are you limiting the mentor to real estate then? Or is more of an overall mentor? Do you plan to have it more planned out that there is structure or more informal?