Do you or have you had a mentor in your life?  What was the impact of this person, and how did the influence of this individual affect the trajectory of your life?  Did this mentor inspire you?  Did they encourage you to achieve and grow as an individual? 

Now think about how you came across this mentor and formed this mentor, mentee relationship. More than likely, this mentor was either a teacher, boss, coach, or colleague that assigned themselves to you.  Someone who saw something in you, and took it upon themselves to provide the opportunity for mentorship and it was up to you to take it. 

Now imagine, if you could have chosen your mentor.  Someone who was living the lifestyle you wanted to live? Someone bigger than life. Imagine being at an expo and being inspired by a keynote speaker. What if you could ask that CEO to coach you to be just like her? Do you think she would say yes? 

Or imagine, always wanting to be a published author, putting an amazing book down, then sending an email to the author of the book with a request to him/her about mentoring you on how to write and acquire a successful book deal?  How cool would it be, if he said yes!?   Do you think he/she would?

The answer might surprise you! 

Most successful people and people of influence KNOW the power of mentors because they probably experienced it themselves. The saying is true, “you ARE the median of the 5 people you surround yourself with”. OK,  5, 10, 100 people… whatever your network may be.  Your network IS the catalyst to your success. 

For example, if you want to go into solar energy, start by finding solar energy networking groups.  Introduce yourself to solar regulations groups and city officials that are interested in solar initiatives. Until you get out there and let others know what you’re interested in, how are they supposed to know?  Be vulnerable and honest, ask lots of questions. Most people are willing to help and support authentic, inquisitive, and passionate people. 

Another example, say you want to be a successful author of science fiction novels. Sure you could do months of research online about successful ways to launch a book, but why, when you could ask an expert who has used a proven system over and over again to share their path to success with you! What that individual will send you in an email or tell you in a 20 min call would save you months or research and years of trial and error. I’m not saying you don’t have to put in the work… you do, however, work smarter, not harder.

Humans by nature are social creatures and we all typically want to make our mark on society and the next generation.  I’d bet on the fact that your ideal ‘what if’ mentor had a mentor themself.  Someone who championed them to get their first break, and second, third, etc. I’d also bet that this individual recognizes the power these mentors gave them and would be willing to return that favor to someone else. Especially if they could see themselves in you or relate to your story. 

So look around at the people you currently surround yourself with. Is this where you want to be?  Is there a mentor in your existing network that feels just out of reach, that you could take a risk on?  If not, maybe consider expanding your network and looking outside of your circle for someone you admire or want to be like.   Consider not only their success but their character, presence, and energy.  Is this a person you could aspire to? Someone you could trust to help guide and champion you?   If so, reach out. Make yourself known.   It might not be as easy as an email or phone call, but find out what organizations they are involved in, go to networking events that they are interested in to begin exposing yourself to the lifestyle they live, and the things they find contribute to their success.  Guarantee if you bump into them a few times while pursuing your passion, they will give you some time. 

If you’re interested in engaging with a ‘what if’ mentor and not sure how to go about it, schedule a FREE Lifepath Mentorship appointment for some tips and tricks on how to find and engage a new mentor.