Mentors, Advisors, and Coaches: It Takes a Village to Achieve Success

In recent months, I have been exposed to a reoccurring concept. Whether in my efforts to market and promote my business; establish my services as a career and life coach; enhance my speaking skills through participation in the WAO Toastmasters club; help others to establish their entrepreneurial efforts; or finalize the writing of my new book, I have experienced – over and over again – the concept that “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Actually, because of these reoccurring “aha moments,” I now like to say that “it takes a village to raise a person to success.”

Wouldn’t you agree?

If it wasn’t apparent to me before, it has become extremely apparent to me now that we all need help if we are to succeed at what we do.

Yet, even though I’ve become more mindful of this fact, I can recall times in my life and my career when I did (and preferred to do) everything on my own. I did not seek out or rely upon the assistance of others who could help me to achieve my success.

What about you?

Are you connected to someone who can help you to move beyond the obstacles in your life toward your personal achievement?

Have you established relationships with others who can help you to elevate your career?

Do you have an established “circle of influence” that can help you to accomplish the life and/or career goals you’ve set for yourself?

If you were able to answer “YES” to all three of these questions, you are in great shape. I applaud you for your wisdom and action.

However, if you answered “NO” to most of these questions, I want you to analyze why and then make the necessary adjustments to get proactively connected to those who can help you in your quest of productivity and success.

Author Pam Grout says, “We all stand on the shoulders of others at various times while we’re learning and growing and developing new roles for ourselves.”

She is so right. I can honestly say that I have done just that. The shoulders of those upon which we stand are what I call the “villagers” that help us to learn, develop, and grow.

Although I have fallen prey from time to time to taking the solo trip toward my success, I have been wise enough to have my own “villagers” whose shoulders I have been able to stand upon that have helped me to achieve my personal and career success.

How about you?

Who are your “villagers”?

Do you have a support group that you can turn to for assistance?

Since the reoccurring concept of “it takes a village to raise a person to success” has been very prominent in my life recently, I’ve looked at where I’ve been successful and the type of “villagers” that have led me to that success.

I want to share with you here what I call my M.A.C. formula for the “villagers” you need in your life who can help you to achieve your success, too. Mentors, Advisors, and Coaches – those are the “villagers” that can help you to achieve your success.

But what is a mentor? What is an advisor? What is a coach? How do they help? Why are they important “villagers” for your success?

Let’s take a look below at each of my recommended “villagers” and why you can tap into them for assistance:

MENTORS

Mentors are the first group of “villagers” which I believe can help you. My personal philosophy regarding mentors is that they are individuals who can help you in “making efforts, navigating transitions, and overcoming realities successfully.” Defined another way, mentors are simply a trusted counselor or guide. The blessing of having connections with mentors is that they can help you to learn more about yourself; motivate and encourage you when you become discouraged; and help you to identify and achieve your goals.

ADVISORS

The second group of “villagers” I recommend you work with are advisors. Advisors are individuals who possess a deeper knowledge in a specific area related to your personal life and/or career. An advisor is a great resource because they are like a guidance counselor, teacher, and friend. Although they will not tell you what to do, they will help you to figure out what you can do. With the assistance of an advisor, you will be able to figure out solutions to your problems and new pathways to your success.

COACHES

The last group of “villagers” that I believe will be instrumental in helping you to achieve your success are coaches. Coaches are individuals that can help you through the process of achieving a specific personal or professional result. When you connect with a coach, you will be working with a partner who is committed to inspiring you to maximize your personal and professional potential.

Well, there you are – my M.A.C. formula for the village it takes for you to achieve success. Mentors, Advisors, and Coaches are the “villagers” that have helped me to achieve my personal and professional success. That is why I recommend that you connect with your own so that you can achieve your personal and professional success, too.

Which ones are you currently connected to? Which ones do you need to connect to? What personal success are you striving to achieve? How do you believe they can help you with your career success?

Zig Ziglar says that “”Success is dependent upon the glands – sweat glands.” When you use my M.A.C. formula to connect to Mentors, Advisors, and Coaches, your sweat glands will be complemented by the village that can help you to achieve your success.