Do you have a mentor?

[LaurenClev]

According to Forbes, 76% of people think mentors are important, but only 37% have one.

Curious to hear from others and learn if you've prioritized working with a mentor either in an official or unofficial capacity?

Did this relationship help empower you or gain more confidence? 

Was your mentor a man or woman? Did it matter?  

[LeahK]

Great question @LaurenClev ! I have a lot of informal mentors in my life. Those relationships have empowered me and gave me confidence to navigate career challenges, particularly around adjusting to corporate culture. All of my mentors have been women.

I'd be curious to hear from participants in the seller community mentorship program too. I'll start by tagging in @CareyJo -- any advice or experiences to share with the group? 🙏

[CareyJo]

I've been both a mentee and a mentor.  Back in 1993/1994 I was a mentee and I was told I'm like a sponge, I soak up everything.  Which explains why today my sponge is so full it's beginning to seep... I need a bigger sponge!

My mentor was a wonderful woman and friend who'd already been to the top of the totem pole in our field.  I learned absolutely everything I could from her and remained a peer in business with her for several years.  She is a kind woman who believes in lifting others up with her, not climbing over them.

Now, as a mentor myself, my recommendation is to find someone who at least has a similar business or business model to yours so that you can glean wisdom in that.  I get that there are many people out there that have something to offer, but if you sell apples and he sells Apples, you're not really on the same page.  There's only so much you can learn.  Conversely, if you both sell tech equipment, you will find value in it.  Also remember, mentorship isn't just about business education and growth, it's about personal growth too.  You cannot genuinely grow your business without learning something about yourself and implementing it along the way.

I learned how to be a trainer from her.  I trained and educated my customers.  I didn't sell them.  Because of her, I was #1 consultant at the end of that year, right before promoting to manager.  That isn't just business growth, that's personal growth.

[JustineTherese]

In my industry, i have already professionally surpassed most of my peers business structure-wise. Some make kore money than me yes, but they have no work life balance, teeter burnout daily and when i ask about how business “stuff” they shut down and say “ick”. I have an SCorp, manage payroll, 6 1099 contractors and my own schedule, inventory, marketing, etc….the others are just in survival mode and most are “off the books” claiming as little as possible which is their preogative but we know that can mean trouble down the road. I was so frustrated to learn most business owners have no idea what they are doing. I ended up having to find an online community and pay a yearly membership to have mentors and guidance. Worth every penny but now i am focused on trying to find identity and purpose outside of my business. After 15 years, i realized, i have no hobbies! It’s a work in progress but mentorship is helping me find balance. Great question!

[LaurenClev]

@JustineTherese  Finding your peer group (and mentors!) can be super tough. Especially when you are at a different stage of business maturity and skill. 

I'd love to hear more about the online community you're in. How does the mentorship program work? What's been the biggest learning so far from that group and your mentors? 

Also -- I can totally relate to having very few to zero hobbies. I am guilty FOR SURE of immersing myself in the work and that being my purpose. It is tough to find that balance in your life, especially when you are so passionate about what you do. 

[CareyJo]

You both need to find a hobby!!  🙂  My best advice, after decades of experience in balancing self-employment and life is to do time blocks for tasking.  You can use whatever method you like, if you need suggestions, let me know.  Start with a list of family and personal obligations first, this includes time for a hobby or even just down time, then the most important tasks you need to do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis for your business.  Then create a chart.  The chart needs to be filled in with the daily ones first, the weekly ones second and the monthly ones last.  When you use a piece of paper that looks like a calendar with big blocks on it, use the days one way and time blocks the other.  So one side is 8-10 am, 10-12, 12-2, 2-4, etc.

You will eventually have a schedule of what you need to do AND WHEN, not just a daily to do list.  Not only does this help you eat your elephant one meal at a time, but it gives you time away from work, helps you see what you've accomplished and makes sure that you're not letting anything slip...