Why you need mentors to succeed

For centuries, mentors have passed on their knowledge to the next generation. It is a time-honoured tradition that has played an essential role in human history. The masters of today all had mentors along the way to their success and fortune. 

●      Mark Zuckerberg credits Steve Jobs as being a major inspiration
●      Bill Gates has credited Warren Buffett as being a key mentor
●      J.K. Rowling, the billionaire author, has spoken about her editor, Arthur Levine
●      Oprah Winfrey cites Barbara Walters as being a significant influence 

For every step you intend on taking, there has been someone who has been there before. Therefore, mentorship is the shortest means to move toward the path to success. Here are four reasons the longer you wait, the more it’ll cost you.

As any successful person will tell you, there is no such thing as a path with zero hiccups. Life is full of obstacles, and anyone who wants to achieve their goals will need to learn how to face them head-on. That is where a mentor comes in. 

A mentor has been through the trials and knows how to navigate their way around these obstacles. You get the guidance, support, and advice when you need it most. Having a mentor by your side can help you reach your goals with the least possible hassle.



You may have the necessary skills but lack the experience and robust network to move fast. Mentors can provide a wealth of experience and industry contacts. They can introduce you to new people and expand your professional space. 

As you further embark on your journey, you may reach crossroads and need to assess an opportunity. You have to evaluate the situation and make the right call carefully. The stakes are high. You seek calculated advice—exactly what a mentor can deliver. 

Your mentor will always help you see the potential pitfalls and offer the correct guidance in more ways than one. You can discover several opportunities and capitalise on the right ones.

Friends and well-wishers can be excellent sources of support and encouragement. But they may not always be able to provide the honest feedback you need to stay on track. 

On the other hand, a mentor can offer both guidance and accountability. You get to see things from a different perspective and receive suggestions for getting back on track. 

That’s how a mentor will never allow you to rest on your laurels. You are on your toes and always ready to course correct. You are constantly pushed to reach the next level—moving forward and making progress.

Let’s say you have a financial goal for your retirement. There is a plan and a clear path. But it’s challenging to stay focused when there are no immediate rewards. That’s when mentors help you see the big picture and keep you passionate about your goal. 

Mentors won’t just sit back and watch. They’ll offer words of encouragement drawn from their wealth of experience. And because you know their words come from a place of understanding, you’ll be more likely to believe them.

Society, in its current form, is too polarised to teach genuine success. Books, friends and random internet wisdom can do so much. And even if you refer to the right sources, you have limited time. So why reinvent the wheel? 

There’s nothing new under the sun. War, pandemic, recession—these are all challenges that generations have faced before us. A mentor can provide you with the wisdom you need, sparing you the expense of going through it yourself. They have already been through the process and know what works and what does not. 

Getting a mentor is a real shortcut to success. And don’t worry. Your success will always be unique, regardless of how similar your path may be to someone else’s.