Behind every successful businessperson or entrepreneur you're all but guaranteed to find a laundry list of high-value mentors that supported them on their journey. By now it's common knowledge that mentors are one of the fundamental building blocks of success, so why aren't we making the acquisition of mentors a priority? This week we’re going to break down my step-by-step strategies for discovering, developing, and retaining high-value mentors. (Because acquiring mentors and networking require a similar skill set, check out episode #9 Ten Things Networking Ninjas Know.) Mentors are important because they offer a unique perspective gained only through experience. They've been there, they've seen it, and they know what it takes to win. Now they are tasked with passing those skills on to you. Good mentors are similar to parents, once you're under their wing it becomes their personal mission to help you succeed. And, when you succeed they feel like they have succeeded. Of the young professionals I frequently talk to, one of the key obstacles I observe between them and success is the lack of a quality mentor. You can learn all of the right things, do all of the hard work, but, sometimes, if you don't know the right people, you're going to have trouble getting off the ground. The problem is, when you're just beginning to grow your network, finding high-value mentors can be challenging. That's why I broke down my proven methods for acquiring mentors. And, if you commit to following these strategies, I guarantee you will be courting your first high-value mentors in no time. Study Potential Mentors. When meeting a potential mentor, know more about them than they know about themselves. Have they written a book? Read it. Given recorded speeches? Watch them. You need to educate yourself on whatever it is your mentor has been up to. This has multiple benefits, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the person, you'll have a better idea if they are likely to be a good fit, and they will appreciate your sincere interest in them.

Choose Your Mentors Wisely. Not every successful person should be your mentor. Mentors are like any personal relationship, not everyone is suited for each other. The first step in choosing a mentor is identifying people that are living the life you want to live.

Articulate Why You Chose Them. Don't blindly chase "successful" mentors. Mentors should be able understand why it is you decided to seek them out. What is it about them that you find unique and enviable? What do you hope to gain from the relationship? (Hint: none of your answers should be "because you make a lot of money.")

Be Visible. If you want high-value mentors it helps to be in their line of sight. However, getting in the room with high-value mentors can be trickier than it sounds. This is where your personal network comes in handy (your network truly is your net worth.) The larger your network the more likely it is someone can introduce you to a potential mentor. You can learn my secrets to networking success here. Now, if you're the kind of person that is sitting and waiting for a high-value mentor to find you, I recommend investing your savings in the lottery as well. Both are equally viable paths to success.

Lead with Value. Just like networking, it's important to always be thinking "how can I provide value to my mentor?" Learning about them, what they do, and their accomplishments is one form of value. Your network is another valuable resource you can provide a mentor. The larger your circle the more likely it is you’ll be able to connect them with a valuable contact when the need arises.

Do Something, Do Anything. The last thing a mentor wants to hear is that you're "thinking about" doing something, or you "have a great idea" but you're "waiting for the right time." If you want to establish credibility you need to be doing something now. Even if it's engaging in the small steps, you need to be actively working on something,...