10 Reasons Why a Mentor Will Change Your Life

Every business venture has its ups and downs. This is why emerging and established professionals are turning to mentors for support.

Not only do these experts help guide the direction of your company or career, but they also offer encouragement, perspective and networking opportunities. In fact, mentor relationships have the power to change your fortunes forever.

If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to take your business to the next level, perhaps it’s time to seek out the ideal mentor for your situation. Here, we cover 10 reasons why you’ll be making a smart decision.

1. Mentors Have the Power of Wisdom

The perfect mentor is someone who’s experienced the highs and lows of the complex business world.

Whether you’re trying to establish funding for your project, make the right hiring decisions or decide where investment is needed most, a perceptive mentor who’s been there before might just help you avoid a costly mistake. 

Growing a business from the ground up, or taking the next step in your career, can be a remarkably opaque process. 

But having a wise mentor to ask for advice means you find the right way forward quicker and with more direction.

2. Constructive Criticism You Can Trust

It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do – constructive criticism is one of the best ways to rapidly improve. 

However, just like how professional athletes don’t listen to fans over their coach, you don’t want to rely on inexpert opinions when discussing your future.

Instead, you want to find a mentor who genuinely understands your ideas and can help you shape them into something special. 

Your mentor’s feedback might be harsh at first. But knowing that you can trust their opinion – as they’ve been in your shoes before – is vital for developing your career or business concept.

3. Level Up Your Personal Development

You’re going to learn a lot of important lessons at every level of the business world. Yet a thoughtful mentor can speed up your personal development to ensure you have the skills to overcome formidable hurdles. 

For example, your mentor might give you a fresh challenge to solve, set a demanding target or ask you to complete a detailed review of your own work. This active involvement in your personal development is bound to pay dividends. 

Like acclaimed director Steven Spielberg once said: “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

4. Everyone Needs Encouragement

Running a business or figuring out how to take the next step in your career can feel like a lonely time – especially when things aren’t going to plan. 

This is why the ideal mentor should always be there for you emotionally, with encouragement and advice that gets you back on your feet. If you’ve suffered a business or personal setback, it’s easy to feel like everything is about to fall apart. 

But someone who understands your strengths and weaknesses can lift you up and ensure you have the confidence to continue striving for your goals.

5. Talk with Someone Who Understands

A new idea for a business or an exciting concept to take to your boss can breathe new life into your career. However, you have to realise that not every thought you have is going to be the award-winning idea that you imagined. 

This is where a professional mentor plays an essential role, as they are the perfect person to bounce ideas off and help keep your feet grounded. 

Rather than wasting valuable time, money and effort on an ill-conceived plan, you can talk it out with your mentor and decide whether your premise is legit or full of holes.

6. Unbiased Opinions Build Careers

Having a solid relationship with your mentor is important, but don’t forget they should remain objective about where your career is heading. 

As the main purpose of a mentor is to help you become the best version of yourself, their unbiased opinions are intended to help you take the steps needed to get ahead.

You’re wasting your time if you surround yourself with people who only ever agree with your decisions, because they don’t want to offend or cause friction. 

Instead, engage a mentor who isn’t afraid to express their true thoughts on your business venture or career move.

7. Know Whether Your Goals Are Realistic

Can your latest business idea take over the industry in the next 12 months? Maybe, but don’t count on it. 

As it’s important not to get carried away with lofty goals that only set you up for future disappointment, a talented mentor who understands your sector will set achievable targets that give you a clear sense of progression. 

On your way to the top of the ladder, there’s a high chance you’re going to face plenty of obstacles that must be bypassed. 

However, some realistic and clearly outlined goals will give you the confidence to keep your trajectory moving steadily upwards.

8. More Perspective Can Only Help

There are a lot of competing forces in the world of business that can be difficult to navigate for those who lack experience. Plus, it can be hard to know who to trust. 

Fortunately, convenient online platforms like Lisnic offer promising entrepreneurs a way to chat 1-on-1 or in group sessions with some of the world’s leading business and mind mentors.

If you’re struggling to grow your new project or reach the next stage in their career. With Lisnic, you’re able to talk to a myriad of experts directly, putting you on the fast track to become an inspiring leader and turn plans into action.

This process is also highly beneficial for mentors, as their mentees are always developing fresh ideas and finding new ways to carve out a section of the market.

9. Expand Networks and Connections

Growing your business or standing out in your career is easier when you have a mentor who can connect you with the right people. 

Although you can’t expect to waltz into any job you want, the right kind of endorsement can help you go a long way. Connections can help get a meeting with an influential industry figure or sign a deal with the perfect supplier.

Supported by a fruitful network, you can find talented people quicker and establish relationships with those who can positively impact your success.

10. Flexible Commitment that Drives Focus

You don’t need to be in constant communication to gain huge benefits from having a mentor. 

By simply organising a weekly, fortnightly or even monthly catchup, you can review how things are going, discuss problems on the horizon and set new short-term goals for the upcoming weeks. 

This process will provide you with a solid structure to approach your business or career, taking gradual steps as you work towards achieving your ultimate goals. 

With a gifted mentor by your side, you’ll discover that you have more focus and energy in your day-to-day life.

Find a Mentor and Level Up Your Business

Looking to find a mentor who can offer qualified guidance and encouragement? Head over to Lisnic to post a request that considers your precise needs, budget and more. 

With many of Australia’s top business leaders and mind masters available on the platform, start achieving your professional goals today.