The new F word isn't the obvious and it isn't even TGIF... it's FREEDOM.  And your growth path is your self-designed, self-defined path to freedom.  Here's the thing though, it's VERY likely you've been defining that path YOURSELF all this time... How's that working out?  A trusted advisor brings huge understanding around who you are, what you want, connections to make it happen, and the objectivity to tell you where the wrong turns are, whether you want to hear that or not. So yes, the new F word is FREEDOM.

 In today's digital world it's VERY easy to have an endless list of gurus that you're attracted to and might like to work with - your trusted advisor can help you use your strategic plan and your benchmarks to discern who the right mentors are for each of your personal goals - and again, what paths to avoid.  They can take into account aspects of your personality that might make even the best mentor a wrong choice and help you avoid endless and unnecessary expense.  

A few years ago, for instance, one of my closest personal friends, who I have mentored for several years, went to a Brendon Burchard event with me.  (She's the CMO of a small, but growing, marketing firm in New York.)  The event was a brutal failure for her simply because the room had 700 people in it.  

Recognizing that the crowd itself was a deterrent for learning to this client, we created a new game plan for the event, meeting with small groups of attendees who she found valuable and using the printed and digital recordings of the event later, in a space that was not as overwhelming for her.  

Had she worked with me beforehand and I saw her particular orientation toward crowds, she could have done an online course.  There are times your own trusted advisor may be ALL the guru you need, in fact.  
 
 

PS: Please feel free to send in questions or topics to be covered in the Mentoring Corner, or in my column in Inc. Magazine or on LinkedIn.