You must have an advisory board off which to bounce your ideas. Your
board does not have to be as formal as that of a Fortune 500 company.
Myra is one of my best board members even though she doesnt have a
formal title as board member of Village Hero, Inc.
Exercise * Who has served as your mentor in the past? * How
successful was this relationship? What could you have done to make
it better? * Now make a list of people who might serve as a mentor
or a board of directors for you today? (Hold on to this list. We
will discuss how best to use it in a minute.)
By the way, do you need a board if your business is very small? You
bet. Even if you dont have a business at all, you still need an
advisory board. In addition to providing ideas and guidance, they
will hold you accountable for your success.
You should have at least five or more great friends you can rely on fo
feedback on your ideas. Ultimately, you are the judge. You know best,
but just like the great Jewish King Solomon said, As iron sharpens
iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
How To Choose And Work With Mentors Remember I asked you to hold on t
your list of potential mentors. Pull it out! Here are three simple
steps to choosing a mentor.
1) Ask Rosita Perez is one of the most outstanding and respected
speakers in the world. Watching her on stage is like watching
Michelangelo carving a masterpiece. Rositas message has touched and
changed lives the world over. One day I called Rosita and asked for
her advice.
To my surprise, she invited me to spend a day with her at her
Florida home. On that day, I felt like I was in the presence of an
angel. I walked away empowered to reach my dreams. How did I get to
spend a day with the master? I asked. Sometimes we have to send our eg
on a vacation and ask for help.
The Bible says, Ask and you shall receive. I must admit I have a
real problem asking for help. My ego often gets in the way. Part of
it is because of my background. Asking was almost a sin when I was a
kid. I had no idea it would be so easy to meet with Rosita. I
remember her telling me that anybody could get a day with her; he or
she simply has to ask.
All the help you and I need is right there for us if we ask. I am
getting a lot better now at asking for advice. When I need some-ones
time, I ask for it. When we ask, we have nothing to lose and everythin
to gain. I probably could write a whole chapter on asking.
