Why Mentorship Matters: The Multiplier Effect of Feedback

One of the realisations you have in business and in life is that despite best intentions, hard work, and being smart, many people invest prodigious amounts of time, money, and energy into something without soliciting feedback from someone deeply experienced in their area of expertise.

Becoming an expert at something is not just about putting in 10,000 hours; it’s about being willing to be terrible at it, an absolute beginner for some time, before getting good.

What Gets You Good?

The essential element common to most people who truly master their craft is mentoring. Having an expert share the optimal way to achieve various tasks through coaching, training, and feedback, coupled with the passion, ambition, and hard work that many people bring to life, is what separates leaders in their fields.

In navigation, being off by half a degree might not seem like much, but travel a thousand miles, and you will soon realize the consequence of expending effort even slightly in the wrong direction.

Feedback is like an effort multiplier that allows us to refine our approach early, ensuring that the effort we put in will have the biggest and most positive impact.

As for RayGun, I say good on you. You’ll have a few stories to tell, and the kids are young enough that they will get their time in the sun. For everyone else, I say make sure you have at least one person with expertise in what you are trying to achieve to bounce your ideas off.

Get Yourself a Mentor!

If you can find one, get yourself a mentor. The right guidance can make all the difference in turning hard work into meaningful success.