One of the most important topics I cover on Scale Your Joy is clarity. It’s so important that I have an entire episode about clarifying your vision, business plan, and values. A big part of why it matters is because that clarity enables you to start taking imperfect action – like going out there and finding yourself a mentor! This episode is all about how to use that clarity to search for someone you can see yourself in, who’s recently achieved goals similar to the ones you’ve set for yourself, and then how to initiate a conversation with that person.

I feel like the mindset shift around mentoring is that I am 100% responsible for getting my needs met. I am 100% responsible for identifying what I need. And the best way to get my needs met is to go find somebody who already has the thing that I want and have a conversation about how they got it. – Dr. Kerry Ann Rockquemore

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, this is an amazing episode for you to tune into. What resources do you need to go from just earning money to keeping track of operating expenses, capital, profit, and payment for yourself? How much should My first conversation with Dr. Kerry Anne Rockquemore happened three whole years before we actually reconnected in a consistent, reciprocal way. I was excited, overwhelmed, and had no idea that our relationship would grow into today’s story of friendship, learning from each other, and the joy we’ve both scaled! The key insight we have to share is how cultivating a relationship like this is about so much more than just finding ‘a mentor.’ In the words of Kerry Ann, “I actually find it’s more beneficial when you stop using the word ‘mentor’ and ask yourself, What do I need right now to get through whatever challenges are in front of me?”

Know what you want. Find people you can see yourself in, who recently got what they wanted in a way that inspires you. Learn about them. Go out there and read, watch, listen to the wisdom they’ve already shared so you aren’t asking questions they’ve previously answered. Know exactly what you want to ask them. Be ready to listen, to truly hear their advice and consider it. And most importantly, say thank you! If you’re ready to start doing the work to find and keep a mentor, then start listening to episode 19 right now.