Mentor - do they see me as a competitor ?

Question

How do I co-exist with my mentor in the same area without souring the relationship?  Thought?

Joe Horan · Answer

My mentors have never been concerned with it. And when I start mentoring, I don't think I'll be concerned with it either. Hopefully, a mentor/mentee relationship is more valuable than a few deals you might lose out to here and there.

There is plenty to go around for everyone.

Chris Clothier · Answer

If a mentor is concerned about you becoming a competitor, then they are not a mentor.  The whole goal of that relationship is to make you successful!  You co-exist by saying thank you and becoming a mentor to others yourself when the time is right.  IMO ~

Michael Noto · Answer

I mentor quite a few people I have met through this site and I have never looked at them as competition. Having come up in this business with no help and no one around me to get advice from, I truly realize how important it is to have someone to bounce things off to when you need to. That is what I try to do for people who I help out here on BP.

Darius Ogloza · Answer

You are two small fishing boats in the Pacific Ocean.

Jerry Lucker · Answer

@Shane Willis

Great question. I’ve been a mentor for several years. I can choose who I share my business model with. I don’t have to teach people that live in my area.

That being said I have mentored several people in my area and don’t look at them as competition. Most will never be as prolific as I’ve been, that’s just the way folks are.

In ten years there was only one time I ran into one of the people I taught looking at the same project.

Not a big concern :)

Chris Coleman · Answer

@Shane Willis

Shouldn’t the goal of great mentor be for his/her student to be as successful as possible? In fact, the pinnacle of success is when my student surpasses me as the teacher!

And worrying about competition like that is a scarcity mindset, which I definitely would not want in a mentor.

Tyler Jahnke · Answer

Hey @Shane Willis - I personally don't view any of my real estate connections as competitors. I believe that we can all have our own success and grow together. Think...the abundance mindset.

Sharing best practices, being open to helping others, and NOT being selfish have all been crucial to the success I've had. More opportunity has come my way because I'm so open. So, in short...I wouldn't worry about it. And think about how you can incorporate being open into your life and investing career.

Best of luck!

-Tyler

Daniel Haberkost · Answer

@Chris Clothier I strongly agree with what Chris said @Shane Willis.

My mentor was thrilled to see me start doing deals in his space and has even given me some info on deals he planned on doing so that I could do them myself.

Kizzy Parks · Answer

@Shane Willis a secure mentor won’t be threatened. There is enough in the world for all of us to thrive!

Michael Nyszczot · Answer

@Shane Willis -  I have built relationships (mentored) with new investors over the years. With some of these mentor relationships I have made money along with them on the same projects. For example, I have been a private lender to them on a rehab and vise versa.  I have also sold an investment property to some and vise versa.

Mentor - do they see me as a competitor ?

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