There’s something powerful about being seen — not just as a name on a résumé, but as a person with potential. In every career journey, there’s a moment when someone offers direction, not just opportunity. That’s mentorship. But what happens after that moment — that’s on you.

I want to talk about what it really means to find a mentor, follow their advice, and back it up with hustle. This is the formula that changed the course of my career.

1. Don’t Wait for the Perfect Mentor — Find a Real One 

We often imagine mentors as high-level executives with fancy titles and TED Talks. In reality, most great mentors are right in front of us: the person who sees your ambition and decides to challenge it.

I didn’t get handed a golden opportunity. I got a suggestion:

“Here’s a book. Study it.”

“Here’s how to show up.”

“Start knocking on doors.”

That was it. No promises. No guarantees. Just direction.

2. Their Advice Is the Map — Not the Vehicle 

The value of a mentor is in their perspective, not their connections. The best ones won’t spoon-feed you results — they’ll give you the blueprint, but you still have to build.

For me, that meant stepping into unfamiliar territory. I walked into branches and offices cold, shook hands, introduced myself, asked for opportunities, and followed up. Again and again.

I wasn’t waiting for doors to open — I was knocking, pushing, and sometimes building them from scratch.

3. Doing the Work Proves You’re Worth the Investment 

Eventually, things started moving. People remembered my face. I got interviews. I got follow-up calls. Then, I got verbal offers. But none of that happened because someone made a few calls for me. It happened because I followed the instructions and did the work.

And people notice that. Mentors notice that. Leaders notice that. Because most people don’t follow through.

4. Mentors Take You Further — But Only If You Move First 

Mentorship isn’t magic. It’s movement. The moment you show initiative, you give your mentor something to work with. That’s when they advocate for you. That’s when they open the next door.

And that’s what makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts: This Works in Every Industry 

No matter what career you’re trying to break into — sales, banking, tech, trades, whatever — the pattern holds:

• Find someone wiser than you
• Listen 
• Act
• Earn your next opportunity through follow-through

Mentorship is real. But it only becomes meaningful when paired with momentum.

So go find someone who sees what you could become — and make them right.