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Choosing a Mentor
Choosing a mentor to guide you to change from the job you hate to starting your business could be a sound move
Things are going to be tough. How much tougher is it than going to work in a job you hate every day. Now that is tough!
You know the deal. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Hello, I’m Daryl Pratt
I am a mentor, a coach and a guide.
I mentor, coach and guide people to escape the job they hate.
I have been helping folk like you since 2005.
I created MENTORaUS.com to give practical and proven tips, tricks and strategies to move you from a job you hate to doing something you love.
Within this website I share my knowledge, wisdom and experience culminating from the hundreds of hours listening and teaching folk just like you to make a change.
It will not be easy but it will be well worth your time and effort, I guarantee.
I have been where you are.
I know what it feels like to hate your job.
I know what it is like to get out, quit, change and build a life you enjoy.
Whether it is finding a job you love or finding a pathway to building a business.
It is my turn to pass it on, to pay it forward.
Life is short my friend so the sooner you control your destiny the better.
In order to change, it is imperative to get the right advice, support and on-going guidance.
It’s not to say you don’t have a clear vision and process to get started, but a mentor can provide the experience by mentoring you in your time of turmoil.
This will save you anxiety, stress, time and money.
Choosing a Mentor with Experience
A good mentor has experience in these issues.
- It matters not what the job is.
- It matters that the mentor has experience.
- An experienced mentor can change your life.
- An experienced mentor offers valuable insights in how best to fix the issues.
- An experienced mentor also understand what kinds of challenges you'll face–both common and unique.
An experienced mentor can help guide you with confidence.
How I met my mentor
I virtually stumbled on my mentor not realizing what I had until many years later.
I met John, who owned the business to which I joined as an independent agent to sell his product.
He had a vested interest in me doing well so the WIIFM Radio was full volume. (WIIFM is “What’s In It For Me”). There was plenty in it for John and for me to do well and sell his product.
So, I started my business career selling a product developed by John.
My very first business.
John picked me up when I was down. Discussed the areas I was having an issue with. My life long mentor.John picked me up when I was down.
Discussed the areas I was having an issue with. Help me overcome fear from call reluctance.
Taught me how to deal with rejections.
Celebrated my wins.
Instilled a way of thinking and communicating with my prospects and customers I still use to this day.
At the time, I just saw John as a business owner surely going to be successful if the agents sold a significant amount of products to make him rich.
I got it.
Didn’t worry me at all in the early years.
Then as you do. As is human nature. You think you can do it better.
Develop your own products and start your own agency and be the boss man.
Be the manager the true owner operator.
What My Mentor Did
True to the man he was, he helped me.
He could have made life difficult and blow me out of the entire business before I got started.
But he did not.
He mentored me in the issues he knew I would come up against.
Not in the producing the products or sales.
No, he mentored me on things like processes, dealing with failure, building a sound business plan. How to stay positive and business life in general.
It seemed like my whole time being exposed to John was leading to my future outcomes, and what a future I had.
Now I am paying it forward whenever the opportunity arises.
There you have it friends.
Your mentor may be closer than the think.
The up-shot of this true story is John has been my greatest critic my greatest supporter, and still is.
Even though now we are both retired, or at least retired from that industry.
When you have run a successful business, you can never retire.
It’s like “The Hotel California” ‘You can check out but you can never leave’. (Love the Eagles)
Having a mentor on board with your vision will encourage you when things get tough, and things will get tough.
If they believe in what you’re doing, then there’s no one better to lean on for strength during these times!
Starting your business with a mentor requires time.
Quality time, so you and your mentor can collaborate until you are both happy with a clear understanding of both your rolls.
What the mentor’s responsibilities are and what yours are.
It can be a daunting task to finish up in a job you hate and start your own business.
There are so many things to consider and so many fresh adventures to take on.
Having the proper support can guide you through the maze.
Choosing a mentor the right mentor can give you that support.
A Mentor Gives Support
It is never a good idea to have a member of your family or a close friend be your mentor.- A good mentor is someone you can trust.
- Someone who has been through similar successes and failures.
- Someone who offers great advice and gives worthwhile guidance.
- They will be supportive,
- but will also critique your progress objectively according to your plan.
The key to finding and choosing a mentor, the right mentor is to be proactive.
Make a list of what qualities you are looking for in a mentor and put it into action.
The most important quality is someone has experienced being in a similar position you are in.
Experience in the path forward. Experience in starting a business and growing it.
Guiding you through the various stages of business maturity.
Teaching you to think how a business person thinks.
Begin searching with people you know and trust.
Gather names and recommendations.
Once you have a list of potential mentors, it’s time to reach out.
Take the time to connect.
Explain why you are looking for a mentor, how you would benefit from their help, and how you would commit to following their advice. Be specific.
The work done here has a massive impact on the result.
If all goes well, your mentor may be just an email or a phone call away.
Choosing a mentor the right mentor is essential to leaving your present self and building the future you.
By being proactive and reaching out to people you know and trust, you can find the right person to help you reach your potential.
Think About Large Businesses
Just think about a large businesses for a moment.
They have a structure that produces the best results for the business.
It’s called a board of directors or better still an advisory board.
Think of this as a panel of mentors. All have experiences and backgrounds in specific areas.
Large businesses have a structure that produces the best results for the business. It’s called a board of directors. It should be no different with you moving on to starting a business. Your mentor is your board of directors.It should be no different with you moving on starting a business. Your mentor is your board of directors.
Conclusion
- If you take the time to research the business forums, you will find a general theme.
- Many contributors wished they had made use of a mentor much earlier in their business life than they did.
- WARNING!!! It is not a good idea to have a member of your family or a close friend be your mentor.
- Go outside the family and friendship circle.
- Choose wisely.
- Remember, "Everybody who is anybody has somebody".
- A good mentor will be someone you can trust.
- An experienced mentor listens more than he/she speaks.
- An experienced mentor is an asset.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Why You Should Start with an Experienced Mentor
Q. Why is having an experienced mentor important when starting a business or new role?
A. An experienced mentor has already walked the path you're about to take. They can help you avoid costly mistakes, shorten your learning curve, and give you insights that textbooks and tutorials simply can't provide. Their real-world knowledge helps you move faster and smarter.
Q. What’s the difference between a mentor and a coach, and why does it matter?
A. A coach often focuses on performance and specific skill development with structured sessions. A mentor, especially an experienced one, brings a broader, long-term view that includes wisdom, career guidance, and emotional support. Choosing the right one depends on where you are and what kind of guidance you need most.
Q. Can’t I just learn everything from YouTube and online courses?
A. Online resources are great, but they don’t give you feedback, accountability, or personalized advice. An experienced mentor provides context and clarity that generic content can’t, especially when facing complex decisions or navigating unique challenges.
Q. How do I know if a mentor is truly experienced?
A. Look for someone who has succeeded in a similar journey to yours. They should have a track record of results, be willing to share their failures as well as their wins, and be genuinely invested in helping others grow—not just offering generic advice.
Q. What if I can’t find a mentor in my industry?
A. Great mentors don’t always have to be from the same industry. Skills like leadership, decision-making, resilience, and strategic thinking are transferable. Focus on mentors who align with your values and who understand the stage of growth you’re in.
Q. How does mentorship improve my chances of success?
A. Studies consistently show that people with mentors are more likely to start businesses, stick with them through the tough times, and achieve higher levels of success. Mentorship helps you see blind spots, stay accountable, and stay encouraged when self-doubt creeps in.
Q. Is mentorship only for beginners?
A. Not at all. In fact, many high-performing entrepreneurs and executives have multiple mentors for different stages and areas of their business or life. As you grow, your needs evolve—and experienced mentors help you rise to meet new challenges.
Any more questions?
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