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Friday's Food For Thought: Finding A Mentor

By
Services for Real Estate Pros Retired

"A mentor is not someone who walks ahead of us to show us how they did it. A mentor walks alongside us to show us what we can do." – Simon Sinek, British-American Author of "Start with Why and The Infinite Game."

 

So, how do we go about finding a mentor?

Finding the right mentor for different areas of your life and business to help you achieve a higher standard can be crucial to your eventual success. There are a thousand other pitfalls you can blindly stumble into, and you won't learn about any of them in school.

It would help if you had someone who has been down the road you're traveling now, who knows what to expect and understands the hazards you'll encounter along the way.

The question, of course, is how do you go about finding a mentor at all, much less the "right" one? It's every bit as tough as it sounds.

You can't just go up to random strangers and ask them to mentor you; that's not how the relationship works. You've got to get to know them, and they have to see and be excited by your potential. This is the first key to finding the "right" mentor for you. The odds are that you already know the person or have some connection with them.

"You won't hang around with ducks if you want to soar like an eagle." 

Have a plan and be very clear about achieving your dream. Look for someone in the same industry as you who knows those ropes. What if you don't know anyone and don't have any connections? 

Networking is so important, and why you should never stop building your web of both personal and professional connections. Potential mentors are everywhere; it's just a matter of researching to find them and then inserting yourself into their ongoing narrative.

You do that by following the arc of their careers, reading and commenting on the posts they leave on social media, such as ActiveRain. If you are on other social networks, commenting on their tweets, retweeting them, liking them, and striking up a conversation with them. 

That, at least, gets your foot in the door, but the important thing here is to make your comments about them and what they're doing, not about you. Interest in you will follow naturally enough once you express an interest in them. What it comes down to then is putting yourself out there.

No one will want to mentor you if they have no idea who you are, the quality of your thoughts, what you're passionate about, and most importantly, what you can accomplish. 

A good mentor relationship blossoms independently, with no particular prompting from either party and rewarding both of you.

Yes, you can take steps to put yourself in front of the right people, but ultimately, you've got to let it happen (or not) on its own.

With the right mentorship, follow and catch that DREAM!  

"We must find time to stop and thank those the people who make a difference in our lives. " – John F Kennedy

Posted by

I have wandered from a vibrant corner of the world, Thailand, to the bustling city of Boston. And again, to the tranquil beauty of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. 

I have found my place!

After a fulfilling career spanning 16 years in the corporate world and 22 years in real estate, I have entered a new chapter of life---retirement. As a proud grandmother, I cherish every moment with my precious family. In the remaining hours, I am ready to pursue my lifelong passion for writing!

I invite you to follow my new journey via my heart and soul into a book brimming with uplifting tales, ready to inspire anyone who seeks a glimpse of true inspiration.
 

Aura Alex

 

Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Brian England 

You may not have an "official" mentor in your business career, but you probably have a few mentors for different questions. Someone you trust and a "go-to" person for your further questions. 

A mentor doesn't need to be someone you look up to, and it could be someone walking on your side and not your superior or your designated broker when your first start your real estate career.

Enjoy your weekend,😎 and I hope the sun is shining where you are. 

May 27, 2022 09:35 AM
Brian England

So true!

May 27, 2022 10:23 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Aura,
I wish I had a mentor when I first entered the real estate business. I was fortunate enough to have the insight to get into self-help and motivational books and tapes by some great teachers. My motivation and inspiration library is huge... or was. I donated all the cassette tape programs some time ago.

May 27, 2022 09:39 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Dorie Dillard Austin TX 

I love what you said about having and being a mentor. I wouldn't still be in the real estate industry today had I not had my mentors. Thank you for your comment. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend! 😚

May 27, 2022 09:40 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hello, Bob "RealMan" Timm.

I understand not everyone can find the "right" mentor. So, you depart. 

I am glad you find peace and life lessons through your Bible. No one was born with a "Life Manual" attached to our hip.

May 27, 2022 09:48 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi, Will Hamm. I can tell you are a Great Mentor, and I wish I had met you in 2001 when I first got my RE license. I might even consider moving to Colorado!!🥰

May 27, 2022 09:51 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Nina Hollander, Broker 

"I also learned early on that as a mentor; I can't want it more for them than they want it for themselves."

I love your second paragraph as it reminds me of a Chinese student I had mentored for a few months. As it turned out, she was looking for an easy way to have someone "doing" it for her.

I never expected my mentors to do things "for me." It was about "inspiration" that they were able to tap into and encourage me to move on the right path. 

 

May 27, 2022 09:57 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Good morning Aura.  Absolutely correct.  No need to make mistakes others have already learned from.  Mark

May 27, 2022 10:04 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi, Carol Williams. I enjoyed my "mentors" for their inspiration, not so much for their teaching or influencing. 

You may have had someone who "inspires" you and vice versa. Like you, I have been self-help and self-motivated all of my adult life. But I have had mentors along the way, and I am looking for and seeing potential mentors on this AR platform. 

It wouldn't be difficult for me to ask someone like you for mentorship for some life experiences reminiscent of yours. Wink, wink!!😍

May 27, 2022 10:08 AM
Aura Alex

Carol Williams 


Here's my view on mentorship. "The mediocre mentor tells. The good mentor explains. The superior mentor demonstrates. The greatest mentors inspire!" – Lucia Ballas Traynor

May 27, 2022 10:58 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Aura Alex 
When you put it like that, yes, I've had many inspire me. Some inspired me in positive ways and others inspired me to NOT be like that.  I remember a particular incident with my Dad (when I was about 10) that was a big lesson in honesty. He didn't even know it was a teaching moment. He was just being himself. 

And, yes, there are many mentors here on AR. It's really quite a treasure trove.

May 27, 2022 10:42 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho 

I agree with you. It's priceless to learn the rope from someone who has already been there. 

May 27, 2022 10:22 AM
Carol Williams

Aura Alex 
It is wonderful now to be old enough to want to learn from others mistakes instead of insisting on making our own mistakes. LOL

May 27, 2022 10:44 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

When I was first licensed in 1981, I was in a Century 21 office, with about a dozen seasoned experienced agents.  We were in the middle of a real market downturn here in Sacramento.  Interest rates were at 18%.  But, nearly all those agents took me under their wing and shared their knowledge to put me on strong footing.  I will be forever grateful!

May 28, 2022 02:03 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Aura, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

May 28, 2022 02:04 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I have been both the student and the teacher, and I seem to prefer learning a bit more

May 28, 2022 04:38 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Aura - I am so glad that your post got featured today from Carol Williams 

May 28, 2022 05:35 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is excellent advice to share.

Have a very special Memorial Day weekend.

May 28, 2022 05:53 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi, Myrl Jeffcoat 

Your story sounds similar to mine when I first started the RE business. One of the brokers worked with new home builders and took me under his wing. It was the primary reason I became the newbie with the most closing deals in the broker's office in my first year. 

I appreciate your story and feature on your group. Thank YOU! 

Enjoy the holiday weekend!! 🤩

May 28, 2022 10:50 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Ed Silva, I will never stop learning, especially from AR members like you. Thank you for your sharing and teaching. You're a great contributor and one of the inspiring people on the Rain!!

May 28, 2022 10:56 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi, Roy Kelley; as always, I appreciate your reblogging effort. It's priceless! At times I feel exhausted from the daily events, but nighttime is my favorite when I can relax and focus on writing. You have inspired me to write and much more. 

I hope you enjoy this Memorial Day weekend. I'm going to put away the keyboard and enjoy my family this weekend. Cheers! 🍹

May 28, 2022 11:03 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Grant Schneider 

I love that you came by to tell me you're glad to see my post featured on Carol's. 

I want you to know your "paying forward" gesture means a lot to me. Thank YOU! I hope you have a fun plan to enjoy your family and friends. Mine is waiting for me to get off the keyboard! 😍

May 28, 2022 11:11 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Simon Sinek is so inspiring!  Love this post.  Knowing where you want to go and then chat with a mentor is a great path to move the needle! 

May 28, 2022 04:08 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi, Jan Green; I have had mentors in different personal and professional areas of my life. And it feels great to know that someone is not only interested in my potential but is there to lend a helping hand when I'm stuck (which is often)! 😊

May 28, 2022 07:24 PM