Yesterday I was the guest for a new podcast by my friend Joel.
One of the questions he asked was about learning. He was interested in the process of learning to excel in endurance sports, then strength sports, or other unrelated areas.
We spoke of the importance of mentors and how I highly I rate finding a mentor or friend who is at the top of that particular field. One of my mentors in endurance sports ended up winning a world title – the lessons he taught in a couple of short years were invaluable both to that sport and beyond.
We talked about the value exchange to get the mentor. A lot of people will reach out and ask the professional for “tips” or “help” with their training or business idea, but how do we get to that inner circle.
To actually connect, a value exchange needs to be present. For the “professional” to want to really help you on that deeper level, there needs to be a trade.
While the obvious trade that we see for services is financial, here are a few others that I find really effective:
1. Offering true connection. If you are interested in their craft, be interested in them. Instead of turning up with a notebook to record their secrets, simply look to connect with them as a friend.
2. Don’t be the expert. Go in with an empty mind. As a beginner, relative to a professional, we know nothing. Literally. So even the whole context, or how we think about the whole endeavour might change
3. Actually show up and be present. Have integrity – stick to your appointments, don’t be late, follow up on the tasks they suggested.
In most sports or businesses, people are more than willing to help.
But rather than a take-take relationship, they are looking for a two way street, or true connection, for it to be worthwhile.
