~ Quinton Carlin ~ Coaching&Consulting: What is a Mentor?

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

What is a Mentor?

I am in Whistler BC at the moment.
I will tell you why shortly. First, I have to say that if you have NEVER been to the west coast of BC Canada...why NOT? It is absolutely incredible (like I said in my last article, its a whole new world compared to the rest of North America (especially Winterpeg:)

Outside the condo I rented for the week I am sitting cross-legged beside the warm fireplace with a gin & tonic in my non typing hand as I am surrounded by a hot tub on our balcony, knee deep powder covering the massive mountains overhead and off in the distance I hear Australian accents bouncing around a village that is about to explode on a this Saturday night.

So, back to why I am so stoked to be in Whistler: today was a very cool day for me: I met my 1st business mentor.

2 years ago I got a call from a guy who said he was making 50K/month from home.
His name: Jay Kubassek. Sound familiar? If not, he is the Founder of Carbon Copy PRO Marketing System. Since then Jay has gone on to make over 170K per month as a Top Producer & Trainer in the Network Marketing / Direct Sales Home Business Industry.
More than that, he is a pretty cool guy as well.
The first time we talked in Jan 2007, it was when he just left Liberty League International (the Personal Development Direct Sales Company where he made his first few million $'s) to go to Wealth Masters International and create his own system. That first conversation changed my life and opened a new door of possibility and opportunity. I connected well with him (but not as well with the Wealth Masters Business Opp). We were both young, single dads who hated working for wadges and loved snow boarding and the freedom that being an home based entrepreneur gives.

Fast forward 2 years later: I did not join Jay Kubassek in WMI (Wealth Masters International), I went with my passion of personal development and created my home as a marketer with LLI (Liberty League International). However, I always kept an eye on Jay Kubassek and followed his marketing methods and his leadership mentoring mentality as I considered him to be my first 'mentor' even though we never collaborated in a business venture together (even thought I invested in his Insideout DVD product and tuned into some of his training calls).

His success did have a HUGE impact on me and my primary business, expecially when other leaders in Liberty League commented on how much I reminded them of Jay and now today I was sitting across from the first person who introduced me to the Home Business Industry 2 years ago. As we were having a beer and finishing lunch talking business at the top of Whistler Summit's overlooking the world from 2000 feet above sea level, I felt that we were on the same level, "at the top". That has a HUGE experience for me because I had such a high level of respect for Jay Kubassek as a person and as an entrepreneur and now that I saw that he really is just a regular guy with a huge desire. In some respects, a mutual friend of ours J Rod said that we even kind of look the same...(however, its obvious that I am younger and MUCH better looking...hahha, just joking Jay:)

The one thing that I do see that sets Top Producers & Mentors in this industry apart from the others who fail to become just that, is that leaders have more drive, determination, ambition and keep their integrity to reach a goal and do what ever it takes to get to the top.

I also realized that when I go to my companies events with my team, I am also a mentor to a large group of people as well who look up to me. So that brings me to my question:

What is a Mentor?

In my opinion, a mentor is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.

Characteristics of a good mentor: a trusted advisor, a teacher, a leader, a visionary, a coach & trainer who shows people a step by step a simple game plan to get the results that they want either in sports, business or through personal development life lessons.

Why does everyone not only need, but DESERVE a mentor?

Mentor ship is like having a personal 'friend on the inside' or somewhat of a professional who has 'been there and done that' who can dramatically lessen your learning curve and be there to guide & support your evolution of developing the essential skill sets needed to become successful in what ever endeavor you choose to master.

For me, I am a MARKETER & A COACH; so I surround myself with successful marketers & coaches. Makes sense right? We call this the Law of Association, that whoever you surround yourself with, you will ultimately become. So if you are not satisfied with your results or your network of people, go out to find a community, a network or group of people who ARE getting the results you want, learn how they got started and plug into your own Mastermind Community.

I am so greatful to ALL my mentors that have crossed my path in my life and since I became an entrepreneur! Everyone in Liberty League International for ‘showing me the way’ and my personal Summit Advisor Debbie Ruston, thanks for all you do :)
"Your network, becomes your networth".