Scott and Brian were pleased to speak with dynamic entrepreneur and host of the popular podcast, The Mentee, Geoff Woods. Geoff is famous for connecting with influential leaders and adding value to those who mentor him. Geoff demonstrates how to connect with noteworthy players, form meaningful and authentic relationships, and how to make these potential mentors recognize the excellence within you.
Click here to listen to the entire conversation with Geoff Woods.
“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” —Jim Rohns
Geoff had a successful career in medical device sales for over 5 years. He loved it. He worked from home, sold a device that saved lives, and he made a lot of money doing it. There was a defining moment for Geoff at the end of 2013 when a colleague of his had a stroke at the age of 35. Geoff had just had his first child and had recently bought a house in Orange County. He started to think about what would happen to his family if anything happened to him.
The next week his company changed his commission structure, and his salary was reduced by 40%. Geoff immediately began strategizing on how to build passive income. He needed a solid investment so if his job was eliminated completely, he’d be covered. He wanted to get into real estate investing; he started off on his own and ended up wasting a lot of time and money.
Soon after, Geoff heard Jim Rohns’ quote, which sparked a fire inside of him that changed the course of his career. Geoff was determined to meet interesting people who could mentor him and help him achieve his goals.
Be More Interested Than Interesting
Geoff has two approaches to meeting high-level players. The first approach is to target one specific individual that you would most like to meet. The second approach, is to target a group of people that work in a specific industry, such as successful commercial real estate investors.
Geoff maintains that the most important key factor to his connecting with influential, high-level individuals starts with being interested in them rather than getting them interested in you. Seek to add value to their lives first. They’ll remember you more for how you made them feel rather than what you had to say.
It Starts with Your Network
Geoff advises you to call someone you have a connection with and ask them, “What’s up? What’s new?” Most of them will reply with a standard “Not much.” This is your chance to tell them exactly what you are looking to do, i.e. “I’m looking to meet small to mid-sized businesses with revenue of $50-100 million” or “I’m looking to meet successful commercial real estate investors.” It may not immediately result in referrals, but it will leave an impression of you that will resonate with them later on when the opportunity arises. Geoff did this initially with someone he met at an event and was invited to their home to discuss an initiative further — and ultimately joined him on a commercial real estate project.
If you’re serious about making a change, Geoff suggests making a list of 20 well-connected people you know and who know you — people who will not question why you’re calling them. Geoff says four things can happen:
In 3 out of the 4 cases above, you will end up at, or near, the target audience you are seeking.
Adding Value to Your Mentors’ Lives
Geoff has huge success with gaining and utilizing the mentors in his life. Geoff explains that successful, influential people are pleased when you’re willing to take action on their advice. When they give you advice, they’re giving you their most valuable resource — their time. If you get the opportunity to meet someone you admire and want to learn from, thank them for the value they’ve brought to your life. Speak honestly and genuinely. If you don’t take action on what they advise you, then you’re guaranteeing them zero return on their investment. If you succeed and then share your success with them, you guarantee a solid return on their investment and they will be inclined to make the investment with you again in the future.
Click here to listen to the entire conversation with Geoff Woods.
Continue to learn from Geoff Woods…
Get your free guide to finding the best mentors at findthebestmentors.com
Subscribe and listen to his podcast, The Mentee.
Connect with him on Linkedin.
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