Mentoring ... Simply The Most Important Relationship That'll Help You Get From Where YOU Are...To Where You Want to Be!

I've been troubled about something over the last month or so.

And, that trouble has shone its brightness in all its spectacular glory just recently.

This blog posting is all about mentoring.

Now, for some who are reading this, they'll go into an immediate tussle about the differences between 'coaching' and mentoring.'

I'll not get into that debate just now, though what I will say is that moving through life WITHOUT a mentor or coach, can set you back several years. Or... even longer!

When wanting to learn how to write effective marketing and advertising, I stumbled and pottered around for several months. In fact, if you were to add it all up, we're talking a solid handful of years.

It was only when I said to myself "Who's the best in the world at teaching this?" did I come out of my stuck thinking. You see, I stubbornly believed that I could move forward and make a significant contribution to this world by simply focussing only on my own thoughts and ideas .

How utterly wrong I was. An expensive error of judgement.

So, what did I do?

I systematically went about wanting to meet and learn from the most respected, most knowledgeable and most accomplished direct marketers in the world.

I wanted to know how they did what they did!

I eventually paid through the nose to learn from the best of the best. I flew to where they lived. I did what they told me to do.

What I will say is that I got more real world, practical and profitable information from these giants, that it shaved years of me stumbling around in teh future... and... it helped me get my 'technical ability' ramped up to a way above average level, fast.

Now, some people will scream and shirk at the prospect of doing what I did. I'm okay with that.

Really I am.

You see, what I truly learned was the idea of VALUE and cost.

A blinkered thinking person would scream " WHAT! 20 Thousand for that marketing campaign we're running next week!"

The savvy thinking, marketing oriented individual would say "Great, let's see how much more ROI I'm going to get from this campaign. We should make our investment back with in a week. The rest is pure, beautiful profit!"

Cloud Cuckoo land thinking?

I don't think so. Especially when you steep yourself in the truth that advertising isn't a game where it's likened to a roulette wheel in the casino.

Advertising is pretty dependable and predictable.

You just got to know the inner workings to make it work for you. If you know what you're doing, you'll be able to, legitimately, 'rig' the game in your favour!

Now here's the profound lesson: I WOULD NEVER have picked up all that valuable insight if I ploughed through all the material I've got loaded in the hard drive or sat up on the shelf... all by myself.

I wouldn't have.

I went to seek out those who know more than I. I knew I knew I had to be open and receptive to let all the practical wisdom seep and sink in.

Could I have stumbled across the information by reading yet another book... going to another seminar where 'pretend experts' show 'N tell all that they've NEVER DONE... pick up yet another valuable 'course' that'll help propel me to my desired outcome faster than a speeding bullet...?

Of course I could.

But, how long would I be prepared to wait for the results I was looking for?

I was now impatient and in a hurry. I needed to get the information I wanted, straight from the hosres mouths as it were. And, in doing the trek to the 'promised land', it was if I was also looking for a kind of endorsement from others about my capabilities, from those rare people who've been there and done what it was I wanted to do.

I'm still invloved in a mentor type relationship. One that keeps me tuned in, plugged into the latest happenings in 'my world' and... it's a relationship that keeps me fresh and accountable.

Mentoring: I'd recommend it without reservation if you're looking to get a handle on something in double quick time; something that just seems to 'get away from you'.

Of course, if your aim is to take things as they come; to recline back into life's easy chair; not really having to concern yourself about living a great rest of your life or... about leaving any sort of legacy for the people who are living in your immediate world, then...

... If you're going to do it right, then get yourself a mentor who'll really show you how to enjoy life to the maximum...without you ever having to do a lick of work in your life from now on!

If you ever come across such a mentor, do let me know!

Now, what what it last week that had me tossing and stewing?

Well, I attended a business networking session last week and I was immediately struck by one thing: There were business people from all across the board who, after talking to almost all of them, had openly decalred that they had no real goals for growth or progression.

Surprising?

Not really.

Especially when we bring to the fore, the 5%/95% study. The study was first carried out in the 1950's in Yale University. What was found that the 5% who made goals, was worth more in monetary terms that the other 95% put together.

The 95% had NO GOALS to aim at.

Those who do have meaningful and aspirational goals, take on the services of others to help keep them on track with those goals. And, and to be accountable to their word and... to their actions.

If you think I'm prodding you to get outside help to keep you focussed and on track with your life's and bsuiness goals... YOU'RE RIGHT!

Warm regards and spectacular living.



Raja C. Hireker
Copywriter, Coach and Marketing Consulting


P.S. If you really want to know if getting a 'mentor' is worthwhile, just ask yourself the following question (every week, without fail) and note down your answers in a book or diary.

"Have I done what I said I would get done and am I closer to reaching the goal I set out to achieve? And, if not what stopped me from hiring a coaching mentor to help me move forward in the direction I'm heading?"

The question and its answers could be revolutionary milestone in your endeavour to elevate your life. It bears serious thinking. Especially if the answers you give to yourself are a definite... "NO, I'M NO NEARER TO THE GOALS I HAVEN'T SET!"