We all need a little help and mentoring in order to succeed. We can learn a lot from our mentors especially if they have already found success and can offer perspective. The problem is we ask the wrong questions most of the time. Here are some of the best questions you can ask your mentor so that you can get to the heart of the issues you face.
1. Who Do You Recommend I Connect With?
Getting the right mentor and knowing whom to connect with can greatly influence your success. Mentors have vast experience in knowing the right people to network with. In the past, some mentors have probably worked with people who were bad for their business and can tell you immediately who to avoid. In connection with this, they also know other people whose knowledge you can benefit from and steer you in the right direction.
Your mentor can also introduce you to better suppliers or people that can help you succeed.
2. How Can I Work Smarter?
People have the option of working harder or working smarter. Your mentor has the experience to tell you how to work smarter and not always harder to boost productivity. Working smarter will allow you to be productive without losing touch with your friends as you try to become successful in your business venture. For example, there might be an app or software that he knows about that can cut your cost or boost sales or make you more efficient.
3. What Would You Do If You Were Me?
Mentors have the benefit of years of experience in their field. They already know the ups and downs because they’ve been round the block several times. The situation might not always be the same, but the basics usually are. Don’t be afraid to ask what they would do if they were in your shoes. This way you have access to their suggestions and feedback. Your mentor might have been in the same situation as you are and know what pitfalls to avoid or which opportunities to take advantage.
4. What Were Your Biggest Failures?
Never miss an opportunity to identify possible pitfalls that could make you fail. While it is important to ask them how they succeeded, many mentors also experienced failure before they were able to become successful. Failures are like life lessons that you need to learn in order to find out how not to do things. By asking about their failures you are essentially asking for a better less bumpier roadmap to success.
5. What Am I Doing Wrong?
Unfortunately for many of us, the path to success is littered with failures and most of us are bound to stumble on them if we don’t ask for guidance. This is what your mentor is for. As stated, they’ve been through the almost exactly the same path. Just like a video game, they know where the hidden potholes are. By asking them what you are doing wrong, you are gaining insight to what you should be doing instead.
6. What Are the 5 Key Books I Should Read and Why?
Your mentor probably had help too. Sometimes it is by being mentored; sometimes it is by reading books. Reading books by other people in your field is like accessing another mentor, only this time there are no set meetings because you can read them at your leisure. Why 5 books? Because sometimes we need all the help we can get. The more minds you can get access to, the more information you have. For example, your mentor could recommend books about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet so that you can learn how these self-made billionaires became who they are today. These guys probably failed in the beginning so they will be able to tell you what potential challenges lay ahead and how to deal with them.
Mentors can help you grow into a better person or businessman so that you become better at what you need to do. Sometimes it can be hard to hear the answers to these questions but knowing the answers can help guide you when certain situations arise. So ask these questions and be sure to consider your mentor’s advice.
