Looking for a Business Mentor?

Looking for a Business Mentor?
It's understood these days, in a world in which business
can span the globe, that no one person knows everything it
takes to make a business work. There are many diverse
issues that you have to deal with as a new business owner.
Just "getting it done" could be financial suicide. How do
you know when and where to get help? Feeling stressed,
burned out, or unsure of what direction to take next are
good indicators that it may be time to seek out a mentor.

You may choose to seek out a mentor through a networking
organization or an association in your field of business.
You can also call SCORE (Service Corps of Retired
Executives), who will connect you, free of charge, to a
business mentor. When we began building our construction
business full time, I hired a business coach who was also a
retired contractor. He gave us advice and support
throughout the start-up phase of our business.

The value of having a mentor is learning from their
experience and sharing your ideas with a non-biased person,
who can help you reach your goals much faster than if
you're working on your own. A mentor can also help you
with work/balance issues and other decisions that may not
be business related.

In my experience, however, the first place to start is by
listening to your #1 mentor, your own internal counselor.
Some may prefer to call it your intuition - or gut
feelings. I recently read a story in the July 2007,
Science of Mind magazine that demonstrates why you want to
listen first to your #1 mentor.

In 1957, Dr. Leo Windecker had a dream to build a light
weight composite airplane made from reinforced plastic.
His idea for this revolutionary accomplishment was based on
his understanding of the strength and efficiency of human
bones. The more he focused on his dream, the more ideas
came into his consciousness. He was shown ways to
construct a foam and fiberglass airplane that would be
light weight, but strong enough to bear the weight and
force required for an airplane.

In 1969, Dr. Windecker realized his dream when the FAA
certified the first all-composite airplane - the Windecker
Eagle. When asked where his ideas came from, this was his
reply.

"I pretend that there is a vast library 'out there', filled
with all the information in the universe. I describe the
problem to the 'Librarian' and turn it over to Him to
search the library for the solution. I keep a legal pad by
my bed so I can write down His solutions if they come to me
in the middle of the night, which they often do."

Are you making use of the 'Librarian' as you're building
and maintaining your business? If you're having doubts
about this unconventional method of getting advice, just
ask yourself where else you can get a lifetime of first
hand knowledge about what has or has not worked for your
particular lifestyle and business goals?

My coaching request for you is to listen first to your #1
mentor, before seeking outside advice and opinions. While
it's true that no one has all the answers, including
yourself, your intuition is a superior starting point and
can guide you to the best sources for the answers you're
seeking.

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Sandy Reed, Certified Life Coach, ex-corporate manager, and
small business owner, is the coach to call for support when
you're ready to break out of the corporate rat race, and
create a life of freedom and flexibility. Visit her website
at http://www.innerclaritylifecoaching.com for more tools
and information and to sign-up for her FREE 5-Step
eCoaching Program.