Having your own business can be an exciting challenge-- busy days filled with your ideas of how things should happen. But do you ever think back to a person who inspired you to go into business? And do you still reach out for that inspiration when things are going well-- and when they are not?
Mentors are an important part of your success toolkit. They are the people who make you believe you really can do it, and who rein you in when you head off in the wrong direction (or too many directions). Some mentors are famous people, some lived centuries ago, some are people from your past and some are a part of your everyday life. You may read their words, have discussions by email or phone, or meet them for coffee every now and then.
Very successful business people always have mentors. The biggest part of this concept is that they weren't afraid to ask for that mentorship. Don't think the CEO of a company in your industry would take the time to mentor you? WRONG! But the first step is to ASK. A "no" is not a personal rejection, it just means you ask the next person on your list. And there is no hard and fast rule that says you can only have one mentor-- perhaps you want one for your business life and another for your personal relationships.
A start-up company will seek the knowledge and experience of someone who has been through the start-up phase and have become successful in your eyes. Who do you know that started their company with themselves or a couple of partners and now has 25 people and millions in sales every year? Their business skills are incredibly valuable to you and they can help you see the road bumps ahead (and maybe avoid a few) and provide the encouragement you need to get past them. Even if their type of business is not the same as yours, there are things to learn, if you are willing to listen.
An established company will seek a person who has been through the growing pains of expansion from a "one person show" to a company with staff and other challenges that never happen to a single person operation. They can help you to that next level of business. This is an incredibly fragile time for most businesses and many don't make it to growth but implode on themselves. Do you have a succession plan? Do you want to expand even larger or do you want to sell the business to go on to another challenge or retire? This takes experience and impartial thinking, all gifts of a mentor.
Go to that place in your mind and find that person who inspires you. Then reach out to them so you can celebrate your wins and move on from your losses. It will be the best thing to happen to your business-- and you!
Catherine Christensen is a full-time business woman in Calgary, Canada. She operates a real estate staging business called Designs of the World. Recently she began assisting with the organization of events for business people to meet each other and successful role models such as CEOs who built major companies from very small beginnings. She is also involved in Canadian Women in Business which is an organization that provides a forum for like-minded business women to learn and connect.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Christensen
