Finding A Mentor - Creating a Solid Foundation

1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Finding A Mentor - Creating a Solid Foundation This bonus episode for our Tim Stratton interview digs deeper into finding a mentor. First, we look at what makes a good mentor relationship.&nbsp; This is a situation where all parties need to contribute to the goals and receive benefits.&nbsp; Thus, the focus is on the relationship itself and what to look for when you desire a mentor. Finding A Mentor Organically There is an industry out there of people that advertise being a mentor.&nbsp; They even have processes and cookie-cutter approaches in some cases.&nbsp; This may help, but I do not see it as a true mentorship.&nbsp; Finding a mentor is not like finding a plumber.&nbsp; You do want someone you can trust.&nbsp; However, many other factors go into being a true mentor. Similar Interests Or Goals The primary objective in finding a match should be similar goals or interests.&nbsp; This is someone you want to emulate.&nbsp; Therefore, they should have a path you can relate to and a destination you also want to reach.&nbsp; Beware of a mentor that has goals or achievements that are only tangential to your path.&nbsp; They can still be useful, but the closer they align with your goals, the better. For example, a player that wants to be a basketball star can benefit in some ways from a hockey star, but not as much as from a basketball star.&nbsp; Know the areas where your mentor is similar and different. Listen and Then Act The goal of most mentors is to provide useful knowledge.&nbsp; They want you to act on what you are taught and become better in those skills.&nbsp; That is how they know it is useful.&nbsp; If you never take action, then the utility of the knowledge will never be known.&nbsp; The goal is not to fill your head with trivia.&nbsp; Instead, they want to provide you with stepping stones for your career climb.&nbsp; That means you need to plan actions based on what comes out of mentor sessions.&nbsp; Absorbing is not enough.&nbsp; Take the lessons learned to heart and apply them sooner rather than later before you forget what you were taught. &nbsp; Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur https://develpreneur.com/category/podcast/ <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/20004650/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/20004650