If you possess endless determination, lots of time and an abundance of spare cash then you can definitely pursue learning by trial and error. However, even if you are part of the minority in this position you still risk becoming disillusioned, losing focus and joining the majority of business owners who have tried and failed.

Why not ask yourself, do really need to keep on making a bunch of mistakes, or if you should learn from others who have done it before and are already successful. Finding a mentor is an excellent idea.

When selecting a business-mentor, one should consider if the mentor has experience in your chosen field. Is he/she experienced in the mentoring process? Is there a visible track-record?

It's also important to consider how the mentoring process works. Is there an easy way to ask questions and to discuss potential solutions to problems?

Only when you isolate what you want and why you want it can you confidently move forward. The more you know what you want, the easier it is to achieve it.

Statistics show that over 90% of new businesses fail in the first 5 years. In the end, the cost of having a business mentor is likely to be significantly less than that of the normal "crash and burn" business approach. In fact, the way I see it there is not cost at all - it is an investment in your success.

While many business owners spend time learning new techniques and strategies, often the approach is fragmented. It's easy to move a little in many directions without getting any results. Working with a mentor can make your life a lot easier as a good mentor will have a strong overview of your business and the steps you can take to get the results you are wanting. Trial and error approaches can cost us a lot of money and time in the long run.