Why a mentor won’t burn your dreams

It wasn’t meant to look like that, was it? Staring at the picture in the magazine you ponder why their roast chicken looks succulent and yours looks, well, not succulent. And aren’t baked potatoes meant to be golden brown?

You meticulously check over your steps, not quite sure what you did wrong. As you hold the magazine picture next to your chicken, you realise that you’ve just turned your chicken into road kill and Colonel Sanders into a vegetarian.

Although the oven light is still on, you know that only flames can produce those harsh flickers of light, and you succumb to defeat. As the guests arrive, you reach for the phone exhaustedly and speed-dial Chung Wa’s Chinese Takeaway.

Mistakes will always be a part of success. But a chef can help you from making the same mistakes (and steaks) more than once. Learn the recipe of success from someone who has already achieved what you set out to do.

Here are 6 steps that make mentors a recipe for success.

1. Add 3 cups of knowledge

Mentors have an abundance of knowledge to share with you. They may present themselves in any form, be it a book, CD, or seminar, and can pass on a wealth of information. A mentor offers the opportunity to gain years of knowledge in a very short time period.

Siimon Reynolds, Director of Photon Group, believes that books and magazines have been his teachers when it comes to accelerating his knowledge of business and understanding of life. He has more than 800 books on personal and professional achievement, and will study the best in any field that he wants to become successful in.

2. Add 5 1/2 cups of experience

Mentors who have achieved success in their chosen field of endeavour, have a thorough understanding of the DOs and DON’Ts and can ensure that people don’t make the same mistakes they did. They will minimise the ‘trial and error’ phase of your business ensuring that you save time, money and effort.

When property investor, Patrick Bright, decided at a young age that he wanted to be wealthy, he began studying the habits of rich people and began learning from their experiences.

3. Stir in 4 tablespoons of contacts

Mentors have many contacts as a result of being a successful member of their chosen field. Contacts will offer you further opportunities and will serve as a further source of knowledge and experience.

4. Add plenty of inspiration

Mentors who have achieved great heights in a particular field possess qualities essential to their success. People who seek out mentors can choose to be influenced by these qualities and will strive to achieve their goals. When we are inspired, we get motivated and then we take positive action that leads to results.

For ballet dancer, Stephanie Williams, she was inspired every time she saw her mentors dance and found herself wanting to emulate them.

5. Bake over time

Mentors will save you time, as they have already taken the path that you are now following. They can show you the short cuts, potholes and right and wrong turns at every crossroad.

6. Sprinkle some support

Mentors will understand what you are feeling or at least appreciate what you are going through. They can not only offer advice and support in a professional capacity, but also on a personal level. For some people their professional lives are a lifestyle choice, which consequently has implications on their personal lives.

For snowboarding champion, Torah Bright, her career required her parents to relocate across the world with her. Her mentors have been her family - her parents who have instilled correct principles so that she can govern herself; and her siblings who have taught her many things about cause and effect and about decision-making.

In Summary

Wrapping up, achieving success is as simple as finding someone and following their recipe to success. Mistakes are inevitable, but there’s no need to make the same ones. Why waste your time and effort through ‘trial and error’, when there are people out there that can show you how to do it? With a mentor in the kitchen you will never burn your dreams again!