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It is my feeling that a genuine mentor who is really out to help others should not (and probably will not) require anything in return from those they agree to take on and help. As a mentor, if you live life by the rules "Give a lot to get a little," and "In helping others, you help yourself," you will understand that helping others succeed will ultimately bring you success. So in your search for you mentor, I wouldn't worry so much about what you have to offer that mentor in return. If you appreciate their coaching, you will find a way to give back to them. If they are true mentors at heart, they will give of their time once you've built that relationship and come to an agreement.
That is not to say that I don't understand the "time is money" concept. Time is a valuable thing, and most people feel that they aren't able or willing to give it freely. This is where that saying from above, "Give a lot to get a little" comes into play. When mentors see the opportunity to help someone else, they also see an opportunity to be recognized for their leadership. In most industries, recognition is more valuable than any money or material thing a person can receive. It's the seal of approval, the testimonial, the word-of-mouth that everyone needs to become recognized as an expert in their field, which will eventually lead to more and higher sales, etc. When I started out with teaching others how to market online, I gave advice freely. I took others on and helped them without running myself into the ground. What started as a small list of about 5 or 6 entrepreneurs quickly grew to about 45. Now that I've built a relationship with all of these folks, it is easy to count on them when I launch a new product or service. Those that I helped for free have become repeat customers, and have referred many more students and customers to me, which has built my success in my field.
Even with my local, small business, which just launched officially to the community last month, I struck out and offered free services to a select few customers to build my portfolio. Now our business is thriving, thanks to reviews and testimonials from those customers. Having a giving spirit will ensure that success or recognition is given back to you. That is my belief, and has proved to be a stable one to follow in everyday life.
So for those looking to mentor others, realize that everything doesn't have to be an immediate sale, sign-up or referral. Be willing to give, and you will receive. And for those looking for a mentor, realize that a good mentor will appreciate just that recognition. Do not be greedy with that mentor's time. Be gracious and considerate (they are probably busy, after all). This is all the motivation a mentor should need. When you give and receive graciously, everything else will fall into place.
Good luck with your search. I hope you find who yu are looking for, and hope to hear a success story from you down the road!
-PA27
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