How do I choose a mentor for my professional life?

Having a mentor to review your vision to succeed in life?

• Hi, I read that to succeed in life you need to have a vision and a development plan. To do it right it is good to have a mentor - an 'outside voice' who BELIEVES IN YOU and can review your vision/action plan. Should I ask someone to be my mentor? Can it be a friend? Or better someone else who is an expert from the field I want to grow in? I don't know how comfortable I am explaining this to someone. Also, should my mentor be from the field I am working in for example with real estate experience if I want a career in real estate investing ? Or family or friend better? THANKS

• Answer:

  You can be your own mentor. You do need to have a dream/vision/goals in order to live a happy life. Take a notepad and write down your goals. Tick them off when you have completed them. Gives you a sense of achievment that nobody else can give you. You can believe in yourself. The opinions of others do not matter unless positive. You can't rely on other people. Rely on yourself. If you explain you wish to have a mentor to other they might not understand quite what you mean. I know i wouldn't if someone did the same to me. I think when people say you need a mentor, they just mean you need to believe in yourself, and have goals and ambitions.