I have been thinking about how I first got started in business.  My goal was to make a lot of money.  My plan was not as solid as my goal.  I spent countless hours just getting through the day to day operations and more hours analyzing my business.  I spent a lot of time with customers and employees but did not have a mentor.   I discovered that a few years down the road.

Merriam-Webster definition of mentor is as follows:  A trusted counselor or guide

The first few years were lonely and difficult.  I did not have a partner or a board of executives to advise me along the way.   Successful entrepreneurs often have to find answers and seek advice from others who have gone before them.  As you chart your path as an entrepreneur you will come across situations and obstacles in which you do not have the information or wisdom to make qualified decisions.  This is the time when you seek the help of a mentor; a counselor or guide who has gone before you.  If you can find a mentor sooner rather than later the first few years of your business will not be as difficult.

I read this article today and it encompasses what to look for in a mentor.

Enhance Your Relationship with Key Business Mentors by Morey Stettner

There are five personality traits of a mentor: conviction, passion, resilience, vision, the ability to live comfortably in the fog

Those traits are exactly what I was looking for.  Large companies have the ability to gather lots of information from lots of people and work together to analyze data and make decisions.  The typical entrepreneur does not have those resources and only has 40%-70% of the information needed to make a decision.

How do you choose a mentor?  Where do you begin?  Finding someone in your industry is a good place to start.  Look around you.  Find someone who shares the same ideals and goals as you do.  I found my mentors by attending seminars, trade shows and business meetings.  I kept looking for someone who did what I wanted to do.  Someone who was successful and passionate about their dream.  A good mentor will also reach out to you.  They understand what it takes to be successful and will want to help others along there chosen path.

Share your ideas and concerns as you build a relationship.  Your mentor will also offer constructive criticism.  Remember, your mentor has gone before you and will help you stay on track.  Ask them lots of questions and take notes.  Think about what you talked about before taking action.  You are still the one making the decisions.  Do not be afraid to go back and ask more questions.   As your relationship develops the trust will grow.

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