Choose a Few Mentors Whose Success You Want to Emulate

While a mastermind group consists of peers, a mentor is someone who has already successfully navigated the path you are on. They provide guidance from a place of experience.

A "mentor" doesn't have to be someone you know personally. They can be authors, podcasters, or public figures whose work you follow and learn from.

The Dangers of "Mentor Overload":

A common mistake founders make is listening to too many voices. They follow dozens of entrepreneurs and try to synthesize conflicting advice, which leads to information overload and strategic confusion.

The opposite mistake is listening to no one, believing your situation is so unique that no one else's advice applies.

The "Rule of Two":

A more effective approach is to choose one or two mentors to follow closely. This provides you with external guidance and a consistent framework for thinking, without overwhelming you with contradictory information.

How to Choose a Mentor:

When selecting a mentor to follow, ask yourself three questions:

1. Have they accomplished what I want to accomplish? Look for someone who has achieved the specific type of success you are aiming for (e.g., a bootstrapped SaaS founder, not a VC-backed unicorn founder).
2. Do they have a personal life I admire? If a mentor's success came at the cost of their health or family, and you are not willing to pay that price, their path is not the right one for you to emulate.
3. Do I want to be like them? Choose mentors whose values and approach to business resonate with you on a personal level.

Tags: #SaaS #founder #mindset #mentorship #learning #focus #strategy