How to find a mentor?

How would you recommend finding a meaningful mentor? Specific example.. I am in a role that I enjoy and make solid money at, however, I know it is not where I want to be long-term. What ways can I go about finding a mentor that does what I want to do long-term in order to best understand their world and how to make that transition?

 
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This is a question that comes up all the time and the only answer I can give is to not over think it.

Back when I started my first business I was too naive to know that I needed a mentor. I thought I could do it all on my own. It sounds like you've hit the first milestone in knowing the value of mentorship.

My first mentor-mentee relationship came organically. I was attending an event where the presenter had just moved back to the local area after selling his startup. I knew I needed to get in front of him so I waited until everyone else left to get some face time. Here's what happened:

  1. I introduced myself with a smile, shook his hand, and thanked him for the valuable presentation
  2. I told him about my business and that I could use some advice on getting it to the next level
  3. I gave him a brief demo, threw in a bit of salesmanship and demonstrated hustle. I went into this knowing what my "ask" would be - if he would be willing to grab some beers later that night so I could hear more about HIS story and get some of HIS advice.

The punchline - people like helping people that show initiative and hustle, and people like having the opportunity to hear themselves speak.

Advice -figure out exactly what it is that you want to do -find someone that does that -introduce yourself, and set up a time to meet

When you meet Don't straight up ask "will you be my mentor?". That's lame. Develop a friendship, ask inquisitive questions, talk about more than work related things, and pick up the tab for their time. Your ask at the end of the meeting will be "Would you mind if I gave you a call when I have more questions?" If the meeting went well then 10/10 times they'll say yes.

Congrats, you just made a new friend and found a mentor.

"Out the garage is how you end up in charge It's how you end up in penthouses, end up in cars, it's how you Start off a curb servin', end up a boss"
 

Thanks for the reply. Very helpful. In your case, you had the event / presentation to lead you to the mentor. What about for someone that doesn't have that opportunity? Like for myself. I'm with a large bank and would love to transfer internally. Is it as simple as shooting an email to someone doing what I want but have never actually met before?

 

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"Out the garage is how you end up in charge It's how you end up in penthouses, end up in cars, it's how you Start off a curb servin', end up a boss"

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