@Steve Vaughan said it correctly when he stated "Mentors are folks quietly doing what you want to do and the relationship just develops."
Mentors and 'Gurus' are completely different animals. I Mentor....I DONT Guru! The so called Gurus in this industry are typically Information Sellers.....they have info (either general or specific) that they may, or may not have written themselves and they sell that Information in the form of a product (books, downloads, seminars, etc). Their goal is to start with a free or very low-cost item and eventually work you up to a seminar or so-called "coaching" that cost $30, 40, 50 thousand or more. Most people who sell information products have got their hands full and their time busywith the information product itself. Often times to the detriment of their core business of REI.
Now, I have no problem with this type of business model, even though I now eschew it. For years I bought everything that came out and attended every seminar I could and I was more than happy to pay whatever they asked because I knew that if I did nothing more than learn one brand new thing that would make me tens, or hundreds of thousands of dollars, it was worth it. And that doesnt even count the remunerative social value gained from seminars, REI clubs, meet ups etc.
As Mentors you will find a different type of person as contrasted with an Info selling 'guru' Mentors generally don't have Info Products to sell. Mentors generally have and continue to make their career as Real Estate Investors, not as Info Peddlers.
True Mentors are more like Mr Miyagi in The Karate Kid...they walk the talk and they quietly observe. They also have your back, most of the time in unseen ways. They should know what your thoughts and feelings will be at the various stages of your training. They should know and understand how to get you thru the rough patches and equally important, they will make sure you dont get arogant or cocky as a result of a single success.
Mentors SHOULD focus on you the person and not only on successful businesses. Remember, in the Karate Kid, Daniel-san had to become the right kind of person Before he would enjoy success in his chosen endeavor.
And don't forget that "With great power comes great responsibility!" A good Mentor wants to make sure that you have the latter before he teaches you the former.
And finally, in my opinion, a great mentor will tell you the way it really is and not blow wind up your skirt. For example, I extensively interview my potential mentees well before I would ever commit to mentoring them or taking them on as a client. The vast majority of the time, I turn people down because I don't believe that they have what it takes to be successful, responsibly. A great mentor is actually a great talent scout.....we want Only the one percenters who possess not only the skill set and drive, but the temperament as well.
And lastly, please never lump us in with the Info Peddlers.....we're not in it for the money. Mentors do not make a ton of money from mentoring......We only do well if, and as a result of, helping others to be successful First!!
Jeff
