Isn’t it shocking that the self help industry is an $11 billion business (2003-2014)? Sure it is. But wait a minute. There are only 320 million people in the U.S. Let’s do some quick math, shall we?
Img Src: Barron Fujimoto
When you divide 320 million from $11 billion, you find that the average American spends about $34 per year on personal growth.
But really, think about that.
The average American who buys a dollars worth of toilet paper every week also spends $52 per year—just on toilet paper.
So…the average American often spends more on toilet paper, per year, than on personal development.
Seriously. Do we really need to work out which end is more important?
I hope not, because, I don’t want to be the one to talk about it.
Examine Yourself
What about you? How much do you spend on your personal growth?
Now, go a step further. How much do you spend on your spiritual growth?
Perhaps “spend” is too strong a word. While you can spend money to develop yourself, you don’t have to. You can also “spend” time.
Many people do.
One of the more common ways to spend time is with a mentor.
Enter Mentoring
When you think of a mentor, you imagine someone older and more experienced. You think of a one-on-one, recurring meeting between the two of you. You imagine countless hours where you learn about previous mistakes and triumphs.
You imagine, and then you try to find one. Two very different sides of the same coin.
Excess Demand
Unfortunately, the demand for mentors like these exceeds current supply. Even among those who can provide this guidance, not all desire to teach.
The solution isn’t to give up looking for a mentor. The solution is to alter the word’s definition.
Evolving Perspectives
You need to broaden your definition of “mentor.” Don’t waste time waiting for what might not happen.
This means you should learn, not just through one-on-one relationships, but also through initiative. Be proactive. Tap into what’s already around you, and don’t wait.
Mentor yourself immediately through any of these 10 opportunities.
- Podcasts – What a time in history to be alive, when you can listen to the world’s best experts on a host of topics. The advantage to podcasts is intake. Your brain processes spoken words quicker than written words alone. And, like blogs, the best ones are free.
- Blogs – While you could group blogs and podcasts together, not every blogger has a podcast. Likewise, not every podcaster has a blog. Still, both provide free information through the internet. Blogs just serve visual learners more than audio learners.
- Books – Few things are more valuable than a good book, even though American culture doesn’t think so. Authors give you their best work for $25 or less. A good book is one of the best investments you can make, but so is a free library card.
- Conferences – A good conference enables you to learn by doing. It combines learning through sight and sound. It also lets you work with other students and teachers without distractions. The connections you make also help you learn from others’ experiences.
- Courses – What’s the difference between a conference and a course? Typically, a conference happens in person over a few days. A course can happen in person or online, over the course of many days. Courses can also go deeper than books and conferences.
- Membership Sites – These are growing in popularity. Some of the better ones require a monthly fee, but others are free. These combine the best of all mentorship sources because students learn from other students and instructor(s) on an ongoing basis.
- Masterminds – These are as old as Benjamin Franklin’s Judo club. Still, they’ve only recently regained popularity. If you want to learn more about them, or start your own, check out Dan Miller’s tutorials and this (free) podcast by Cliff Ravenscraft.
- Coaches – You can call them consultants or coaches, but you ultimately pay them to teach you something. Before you dismiss them on the grounds of cost, check one out. They may help you avoid very costly disasters (and not just financially). One good place to start is Building Champions. Also look into Coach Federation and the International Association of Coaching.
- Mentorship Programs – Services like Radical Mentoring and Mentoring.org are set up to create mentors. Whether you become a mentor or not, you can find books to help you mentor, as well as resources that help you mentor yourself.
- Mentors – Again, it’s possible to find mentors. Just not probable. Remember to cultivate all your relationships, especially with those with more experience. Ask general questions (to start small) and see where the relationship goes.
Conclusion
You can mentor yourself today thanks to so many opportunities. Even if you eventually have a team of mentors working for you, you can’t afford to miss out on what’s already around you. These “lower” growth levels often precede the “higher” levels.
Just look around. They’re everywhere.
Discussion Question: Through what other opportunities do you mentor yourself?
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The post Brains or Bottoms?—10 Opportunities to Mentor Yourself appeared first on Bible Study Guru.