Firstly everyone has made some great points about mentorship and the power of creating a strong why. We can all agree there is no black and white answer for everyone.
Back to Wade`s originally post you need to have a strong why. Why do you need to have a mentor?
Frankly if you believe you don`t need a mentor, than you don`t. However if you believe a mentor will help you achieve success a lot quicker than you normally would have on your own than don`t you think it`s a good investment?
If you`re the type of person that doesn`t take action regardless of a mentor or educational membership than a mentor is probably not good for you. Go find something that you love to do, and do it well.
However if you`re the type of person that soaks up as much information as humanly possible from whoever you can, takes notes reviews them regularly studies, and wants to be the best in class and you never let anyone take you off your square regardless of your situation, than a mentorship may be your best investment.
Why when Tiger Woods was dominating the PGA tour and winning by 10-15 strokes he still wanted to get better and improve?
Why did he have a Swing Coach, Sports Psychologist, Putting coach, Short game coach, when he was crushing the field by 10-15 strokes and Ranked #1 in the world by a long shot? Why was he still talking about getting better when nobody was even close?
Why does Neopleon Hill talk about being coached by Andrew Carnegie in this video? It`s your choice and if you believe a mentor will bring your game to the next level than by all means hire a mentor. Worked for guys like Neopleon Hill and Tiger Woods.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqRbJ4R9C4o&feature=player_embedded
Hill mentions Carnegies greatest gift being the greatest gift to mankind``The exact same philosophy REIN teaches and Don Campbell teaches through the ACRE program, I.E Your Personal Belize. I can honestly say Don and fellow REIN members have truly been an inspiration.
The point I`m trying to make here is that nobody on this forum nobody was an expert or even sophisticated when they started to invest. Everyone had to start from somewhere and learn from someone now you can learn from your own mistakes or by books whatever works for you. As an educator and Teacher myself I can honestly say that not everyone learns the same way and I see this on a daily basis.
I can read 25 Books about surfing and head down to the beach to hit some killer waves, Do you think I`m going to fall off my board the first time I get out there? The answer is YES. The same principal applies to business, sports, realestate I don`t care what it is, in order to become an expert you need to take action and learn.
I`m purchasing properties in the $3-4 hundred thousand dollar range and I feel I`m mitigating my risk by learning from mistakes from other people who have come before me. I.E A great mentor. I personally realize that if I want to be the best in class than I don`t see the money going out of my pocket to be a liability I see it as an asset. Yes there is a ton of free advice out there, but eventually you will learn the value of giving back to the same people who helped you along the way.