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CHOOSE WISELY AND BENEFIT!

Choosing a business mentor is as important to your business as choosing your partner is to your life! The right mentor can make your life a joy, just as the wrong mentor can make your life a chore.

My tips for choosing a mentor are:

1. Pick someone who is successful. Many people talk the talk but not so many walk the walk. You want to know that whomever you choose has the runs on the board as far as what they are advising you.

2. Pick someone with whom you know you can click. There is no point in picking a mentor who is constantly going to criticize and reject your ideas. You want to be able to share your heart openly without fear that it is going to rejected.

3. Pick someone with knowledge you can use. Although it might be nice to choose someone who is very good at what they do, if you are speaking different technical languages you are going to run into trouble. Although a good mentor doesn't have to come from your business area, it is helpful to find someone with complimentary knowledge.

4. Pick someone you know is going to challenge and stretch you. A good mentor can bring you up to the next level.

5. Make sure you both know the requirements of the relationship, before you start. Defining the relationship early on is essential to having a productive working relationship, as it ensures there are no misunderstandings.

6. Choose a venue to meet at where you can both focus. It can be a trap to try to hold your meetings at either place of work as there may be multiple distractions. Try to choose a neutral location for your meetings as this will allow for a more productive time.

7. Enjoy the relationship! It's not every day that you get a leg up into a business.

A good mentor can turn expand your world view, open doors that previously were closed, and help you to work through your issues. Try to make it a two-way relationship where you are giving something back, as this will ensure that neither of you walk away disappointed.

Maximize every opportunity you have with your mentor, always remembering that they have their own business to run. Remember also that familiarity often leads to contempt, so ensure you maintain a professional attitude and don't overtax the relationship.

A great mentor is the best asset you can bring into your business. Take your time and

Learn more about this author, Hayley Solich.
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