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3 Things You Are Doing Wrong That Kills the Power of Mentorship

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Success loves speed. One of the major reasons why people seek out personal or business mentors is because they want to avoid unnecessary newbie mistakes so they can pass through the arduous trenches as soon as possible.

That’s what law school taught me. That’s what the big corporate companies try to offer to the graduate trainees. That’s what the success and personal development industry advocated.

However, not all mentorship opportunities are created equal. Not all mentors are created equal. You’ve got to be extremely careful and selective when it comes to asking for help from certain people.

Here are 3 critical things you’re probably doing wrong that obliterated the power of mentorship:

1. You are not choosing the right mentor for yourself

Mentors can be virtual or they can be in person. They should be people who are 5-25 years ahead of you in a place you want to be. But the most important thing is that they not only are at a place you want to be, but they are the kind of person you aspire to be like.

It’s amazing when you have a mentor who makes 100 million dollars a year, but what if he does it in an illegal, inhumane, horrible way? What if he sells human organs and lethal biochemical weapons in underground black markets and is betraying his country? What if he has all the wealth the world has to offer but he is lying in his bed every day because he has terrible health and fitness condition?

You just can’t pick mentors based on results in a small area of their lives. You must also consider things outside his or her skills, experience or competence. Do they handle their personal problems in an intelligent, graceful, ethical way? Do they take responsibility of their challenges and find solutions to control the situations? Are they great with people in general and treat people with respect and dignity? Are they communicating their boundaries in a clear, positive, assertive way without violating others’ rights?

These are all important questions you need to ask yourself to see if your potential mentors are a great fit for you. You’re going absorb everything from them, so do your due diligence before the relationship begins.

“The best way a mentor can prepare another leader is to expose him or her to other great people.” – John C. Maxwell

2. You are overthinking and not implementing your mentor’s advice fast enough

Assuming you have the best mentor to assist you in your endeavor, do you know what’s the most frustrating thing to him or her? It’s when they give you their success-proven, wisdom-packed, million-dollar secret formula but you keep bugging them with stupid questions one after another and not taking action on what you’ve been told.

Your mentor is not paid to waste time listening to thousands of your excuses on why things might not work. He or she is neither there to do the hard work for you either. They are there to devise the best possible solution for your situation because they’ve been where you are, they’ve encountered similar problems as you, and they’ve been experienced enough to know the better way to handle your problem.

So stop over-questioning your mentor. Speed of implementation is the key to entrepreneurial success. So trust the process. Trust their advice. Go execute the suggestion. Report back for duty in case it fails. Get a new piece of strategy. And keep working together until you succeed.

3. You are not mentoring someone else

Oh, didn’t expect to help someone huh? Well, the true power of mentorship is never a one-way street. Knowledge and wisdom are supposed to be passed along.

One of the fastest ways to grow as a person is to share and teach what you’ve already learnt. If you have more knowledge in certain areas than others, it’s extremely valuable for your self-esteem and skill set if you’re concurrently mentoring people “behind” you.

So maybe you’re 20 and you’re great with computers, and there’s a 50-year old billion dollar company CEO who needs help in that area, you can mentor him right? Having people “behind” you to mentor, coach and teach is an excellent way to reinforce your ideas, lessons and teachings deeper into your subconscious mind. Over time, your skills will become even more automatic, reflective and natural.

Becoming a millionaire is tough. Pursuing your freedom is tough. Earning your ideal body is tough. Becoming great with women is tough. Whatever you do, it’s best to have a mentor to guide you through the success process.

When you realize it’s wiser not to reinvent the wheel, remember to use the 3 golden pieces of advice above to unleash the true power of mentorship.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

Have you found your success mentor yet? Which piece of advice are you going to implement today? Leave your thoughts below!

Keye Wu turns men into execution machines. The conventional path of a corporate lawyer didn't appeal to him so he became the self-made Asia's Honest Productivity Coach For Men who's transforming 1,000,000 guys into the most productive, purposeful, masculine men. Having founded the Prolific Man Academy as an exclusive brotherhood for the most ambitious, success-hungry, passion-driven warriors worldwide, his work 5 Ways To Double Your Productivity For Men remains a classic and his next publication will be announced in zenlaserfocus.com.

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Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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