Mentors have been a key part of building my brand and my business. I just wouldn’t be where I am without them. Before I dive into how to find a mentor, I want to clarify what mentorship means to me.
I think some people believe that a mentor is someone who meets with you regularly and advises you on all the major decisions you’re making. I have some of these formal mentors; however, I also have several people in my rolodex that I consider to be mentors even though our relationship is less formal. These may be people I check in with every few months just to ask a few questions. These are informal mentors, but just as important for long-term success.
I just wanted to clear that up, because I hear so many people say “I need a mentor” when they may already have a handful of people who do act as informal mentors. Not everyone has a mentor they meet with every Friday morning for breakfast, and that’s okay. Mentorship is so much more than that! The key thing is to have a few people you can turn to when you need a bit of help, or you’re making a decision that could use some expert advice.
OK, onto the video! In this episode I’m sharing the technique I’ve used to find the mentors I currently work with. I call it my “5 minute rule,” and it has also helped me get the attention of celebrity entrepreneurs. Watch below (or click here):
After you watch the episode, I’d love to hear how you find mentors or get expert advice in a comment below!
This post originally appeared on shetakesontheworld.com.
Natalie MacNeil is an Emmy Award-winning media entrepreneur and the bestselling author of She Takes on the World: A Guide to Being Your Own Boss, Working Happy, and Living on Purpose (Infinity 2012). The book is based on her popular website for women entrepreneurs, She Takes on the World. The website was featured by Forbes on its list of “Ten Best Entrepreneurial Sites for Women.”
