The Importance Of Having A Mentor When Starting A Business
On your entrepreneurship journey have you ever experienced a block? A block such as not understanding how to file your taxes, struggling to find investors, or having to fire an employee. As an entrepreneur you are destined to face many of these obstacles however, you are not alone. Many people with many different skills have conquered this journey before you. Navigating this journey the first time is difficult and time-consuming and the help of someone who has already managed to succeed is irreplaceable. What you are looking for is a mentor. Having an offline or online mentor can help you overcome the obstacles you will face in the first years of your business
Why Mentorship is Important
Mentors enable you to make progress quicker and with less stress. Whether it is your personal life or in your professional life, mentors can share their experiences with you and help you to learn lessons without you learning them the hard way. They can give you advice from life experience and they can guide you through tough times. Mentorship can also benefit the mentor. It does not have to be a one sided relationship, in fact the best mentorship relationships are mutually beneficial. You both will gain a relationship where you can hear a new perspective that you can each learn from.
Qualities of a Proper Mentor
Throughout your life you will have lots of mentors, some who will be good, and without a doubt some who will be bad. The question is, how can you tell the difference? To put it simply, only time will tell. However, here in general mentors will:
1. Speak Neutrally - Good mentors will not try to force their opinions on you and will only speak to inform you and help you make your own decisions
2. Connect You With Helpful People - Good mentors will point you to the people they think can help when they don't know how to help.
3. Challenge You - Good mentors will help you to consider all the opinions by challenging your decisions. In doing this they will help you to be more confident and push you to be
your best.
4. Support You - Good mentors will always have your back even if they challenge you. They are on your team.
Where to Find These Mentors
Mentors can be found anywhere. Older or younger, peers or coworkers, friends or strangers, anyone can be a mentor. The key is to find an organic relationship with someone who knows things that you would like to learn from.
Ready to find your next business mentor?
LAUNCH DAYTON MENTOR NETWORK
The Launch Dayton Mentor Network supports these pioneers and business owners by connecting them to business mentors who have been there, done that, and can provide one-on-one support to help their peers avoid costly mistakes while they pursue business growth goals.