How to Prepare for a Mentor Meeting

The idea for this post comes via Jim Collins and his interview with Tim Ferris. Tim Ferris Show Episode #361.

In it there is a treasure trove of ideas. It’s my favorite episode from Tim hands down!

Jim tells the story of meeting Peter Drucker, the famous management teacher. Peter was Jims hero and the opportunity to meet with him was a once in a lifetime experience. Jim spent hours preparing for their meeting, so he could grasp every ounce of wisdom from Peters mind. He spent days after compiling notes on their meeting. Side Note: I would pay A LOT for those notes.

It got me thinking, What are my personal principles for meeting mentors?

How do you get the most out of meeting mentors?

  1. Know your why. What is end result you are expecting?
  2. If it’s the first time meeting, do your research to find out who they are and what they’ve done. It’s weird when dating – Mentors love it.
  3. Have notes available to remind you of the topics you wish to cover. It shows you care and are taking the time serious.
  4. Consider recording the time. Listening to, instead of writing, my notes has been a game changer. It forces me to be more present.
  5. Send a follow up email with your notes.
  6. Spend twice the time preparing as in the meeting (Pro Move).
  7. Most important, take action on what you’ve learned.

What are your tips?

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