How to Catch a Mentor
Today’s post is from one of my favorite people in the whole world. A mentee in my 7th Radical Mentoring, Bryan Miles and his wife Shannon have become serial entrepreneurs, creating Miles AG to glorify God by creating and serving irresistible companies. Miles AG currently consists of eaHELP Virtual Executive Assistants, MAG Bookkeeping, Render Virtual Webmaster Services, Ellipsis Virtual Writers, and Miles West. Since their launch in December 2010, Bryan and Shannon have grown Miles AG from a husband-and-wife operation to a thriving conglomerate, collectively responsible for more than 450 people, generating millions of dollars in revenue annually. Their first company, eaHELP was named a recent Inc. 500 honoree. Bryan is a learner and a follower of Jesus, the father of two children and a resident of Cumming, GA, outside Atlanta. –Regi Campbell
I have been the recipient of many great mentors in my life, including Regi Campbell. In 2007, Regi cannonballed into my life in many important ways. During our time together, he taught me, and challenged me. I loved his proactivity in mentoring me and in his approach to finding great people to mentor. Regi is the rare individual actively seeking out young men to mentor. It is not the norm. Guys like Regi, with life experience to share, are not normally looking for young men to pour in.
Because of the influence Regi and other mentors have had my life . . . I now mentor. I mentor young guys . . . newly married, entrepreneurs and business-types, who also love God. These guys are go-getters. They have passion. They want to be great. Truth is, they are great . . . they just don’t know it yet. The potential they possess, at times, leaves me speechless. My heart is excited for their future possibilities.
Occasionally, people ask me who my mentors are. I have a handful. They are close to my heart for different reasons. Ever since my dad developed cancer and passed away when I was in college, I have intentionally sought out amazing older men whose lives I admired. Their friendship and counsel have made me the man I am today and my family has significantly benefited from their investment in me.
Most people see the value in having mentors, but not many take the time and effort to seek them out. Most people want mentors to come to them. With that in mind, here are six tips I’ve used to seek out mentors in my life . . .
- Be strategic. Every man or woman who is successful does not have all the answers. You need to be strategic and map out why they would be a good mentor for you in a specific area of your life.
- Grant permission. Mentoring is nothing without permission. My mentors are close to my heart for different reasons. I have men who I have given permission to speak deeply into my life, so that I can make change happen. So I can be a better man, husband, dad, friend, boss and follower of Jesus. The prideful need not apply.
- Understand seasons. Not all mentors can add value in your life, your whole life. The need for new mentors should emerge in your mind when your current mentoring relationships are mature.
- Get proactive. Set a meeting plan and set an agenda. Meeting at Waffle House once every three months and having them ask you, “So, how’s life?” does not count. Map the course of your discussions. What books will you read? What scripture will you memorize? When will you meet? What questions will they hold you accountable to? Agree on the expectations you have of your mentor and your time together (trust me, you’ll shock them)!
- Good mentors are not looking for you. You’re delusional if you think successful people are out there looking to invest in your life. You need to get in their damage path and ask them questions. You need to jump in their river and let them show you life on their terms. The prideful, stupid person thinks that mentors should find them.
- Look up and down. Not all mentors are older than you. Some of the best ideas and wisdom I have gleaned came from people younger than me.
Question: Are you seeking out a mentor(s) right now? What is your strategy to let the appropriate people speak into your life?
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Ahhhhhhhhh – I LOVE it.