Why Have Multiple Mentors?

Why have multiple mentors?

It’s hard enough just having one mentor, let alone multiple mentors, right?

Well, the fact is, having multiple mentors isn’t that difficult, and it can exponentially increase your chances for success.  In this post I want to cover three benefits to having multiple mentors, and I will wrap up by explaining the benefits of having “virtual mentors” as well.

Let’s begin.

1) By Having Multiple Mentors, All Areas Of Your Life Improve:

For most of us, we get hyper focused on one area of our lives.

It doesn’t matter if it is health, wealth, relationships, the list goes on.  The issue with hyper-focusing on just one area, is that the other areas of our lives tend to suffer.  We start to really excel at that one thing, and the rest of our balance is completely out of whack.

By studying different mentors in all the major areas of our lives, we fall into a more balanced state.  The result is every aspect of our lives improves.  This naturally causes the area we were hyper-focused on from the beginning to improve as well.

 

2) By Having Multiple Mentors, You Get To Learn From Their Mistakes:

There are two main ways to grow in every aspect of your life:  1) Make mistakes and learn from them.  2) Study other people’s mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

Personally, I would much rather learn by studying and understanding the mistakes of those with more experience than I have, rather than make the mistake myself.

Why reinvent the wheel?

The benefit here of having more than one mentor, is you get to apply the lessons learned in multiple areas of your life.

Let me give you a clear example:

Years ago, one of my first business mentors taught me the importance of understanding human behavior when it comes to hiring the right person for a particular job.  He explained that he didn’t take the time to truly understand his employees when he was young and first building his business.  His business was growing so quickly, he was just putting bodies in positions, just to keep things moving.  This ultimately led to high turnover.  I saw that I was heading in the same direction, and was able to refocus and regroup my efforts.  Because of this, my employee retention rate was almost double the industry standard.

 

3)  By Having Multiple Mentors, You Get To Tap Into Their Networks:

Let’s face it, the more mentors you have, the greater the likelihood your network will grow.  In order for a mentor-mentee relationship to work, both parties have to see value.  Part of the value you can offer your mentors is by helping them out when they need something that you can do for them.  By doing a good job, and thus, increasing your worth in their eyes, they will grow more comfortable with you.  The more comfortable they are will you, the more likely they are to introduce you to their circles of influence.  As their circles of influence begin to build relationships with you, they will soon mesh into your own circles.

There is a saying that holds a lot of truth:  “The measure of your net worth is equal to your network.”

Keep that in mind as you continue to expand your relationships and the value you bring into other people’s lives.

 

The Benefits Of Virtual Mentors In Your Quest For Having Multiple Mentors:

You see, having multiple mentors doesn’t necessarily mean you must have a personal, one on one relationship with them.  In fact, some of my mentors don’t even know I exist.  These are men and women who are at the top of their field.  They are experts in areas I am seeking to improve in.  By studying them, I am able to learn from the information they put out both to the public, and information reserved for members of their mastermind groups, etc…

I typically follow their free information, sign up for their newsletters, read their books and blog posts.  I listen to their podcasts, go to their seminars, and if I feel the relationship merits taking the next step, I sign up for their coaching.  When I am ready, I am willing to spend the extra money, to get the more personalized knowledge, because I can directly relate that knowledge to my life and improve my performance drastically.

Consequently, you now know about virtual mentors.  Do you see the value in having multiple mentors in your life?

In my next post, I will go through some of the mentors, both live and virtual that I have as part as my advisory board.