Q&A: Working With a Mentor

Q I keep hearing a lot about business mentoring. What exactly is mentoring and how do I best work with a mentor?

A Mentoring is a great way to get your business on track - or keep it that way. Generally, a mentor will help you set goals and then guide you toward achieving them. The work, of course, is your responsibility, but your mentor should have lots of great ideas to get you out of your comfort zone and help you grow as a business owner.

Here are a few tips on working with a mentor:

Listen

When you're in a mentoring relationship, it's important that you take into account the suggestions that your mentor gives you. You may not always agree, but try to see yourself and your ideas through their eyes - could the changes they're talking about be beneficial? Keep in mind, mentors have to tell you the tough things, not just what you want to hear. Also, you know your business best and what you are hoping to achieve. Go over these with your mentor and explain why you feel the way you do about different things.

Trust
It's critical that you trust the person that you choose to be your mentor. Look for a mentor that shares your
ideals, your values, your faith. If you will be second-guessing the advice you're receiving, it will be much more difficult to make changes in yourself and in your business.

Be Honest
When working with a mentor you must allow yourself to be brutally honest. You'll be discussing your struggles in business, your fears, what you feel is holding you back and other hard topics. Try to be as honest as possible and let your mentor see you for who you are so that you can get the most possible from the relationship.

Value Your Mentor
Do your best to respect your mentor and not take advantage. 20 emails an hour or running late constantly can be detrimental to your mentor's business. Remember that they are here for you, but they also run their own business as well. Value their time and you both win.

Working with a mentor can be one of your best business decisions. It allows you to avoid costly mistakes, make more right decisions, and also have someone that you can brainstorm with. It's like having someone on your side, rooting for you and your business success.

About the Authors

Jill Hart of CWAHM.com & Diana Ennen of VirtualWordPublishing.com, co-authors of So You Want to Be a Work-At-Home Mom. Learn more about Jill's mentoring program at http://SuccessfulChristianWomen.com