Why I needed a mentor, and you do too. Pt.2 - The Wrong Mentor
After I finished reading the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki I was filled with excitement, passion, and determination to find someone who would teach me the same things Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad taught him. The first thing I did was to go buy more of his books because I knew I needed to learn more and at this point in my life that was all I knew. It was up to me to go find that person (with God's help of course) that would teach me. If you were like me you also would have noticed that they didn't teach you these things in school, and still don't so it is up to you to go find someone to teach you.
Now, I was only able to get so far from just reading books, there was something inside of me that knew I needed a physical mentor right there in front of me to tell me do this first, this second, this third, and so on. One day in the late summer of 2006 I got a invitation in the mail (probably from something I filled out), asking me to come to one of Donald Trump's seminars in Manhattan. And I was quite impressed with the invitation, and I thought if anybody could teach me about business Donald Trump definitely can. Did I forget to mention that it was said it was FREE too!
So, I called one of my close friends Dwayne Hill to come with me and we went downtown to go here Donald trump speak, so we thought. Little did we know that he would only be there via a DVD prerecorded introduction and that was it. They had some other guy do the whole seminar who I never heard of and still can't remember his name. This guy even gave us wonderful information about business and real estate. It pumped us up and made us think of all the possibilities of how we can make money that was realistic. Me and Dwayne were hooked and we both wanted to know more. Both of us along with everyone in the room wanted to know more and how do we get more excellent information. If you have been to one of these you would know at this point is where they tell you how much it costs to go to the next seminar where they teach you even deeper stuff.
I was determined to know more and knowing that to learn more would cost me some money, I looked at it as an investment, so I gave them my credit card and they signed me up for the next seminar. Luckily for my friend Dwayne he was not in the same position at the time financially to move forward so he didn't give them his credit card (I will explain why later and/or in future entries).
That day I was full with excitement! I truly believed that I was taking wise steps along my journey, but little did I know that that was actually the beginning of all my savings being spent on attending seminars and 3-day weekends. At one point I paid for a seminar with three credit cards because it cost so much that I couldn't put it on one card with what my limits were at the time, and one card was my mothers. In the end I paid almost $10,000.00, and what did I get out of all these seminars, pretty much nothing! I got lots of great information, don't get me wrong, but it was so much and so quick that no matter how smart I was I was only able to remember so much. And the worst thing about getting great information, is that it was not practical and it did not give me a starting point or focal point.
I still had no clue how to use any of the information I received for any of those seminars, workshops, or 3-day weekends. So, my journey continues. If you would like to read more of my story and know how I found my mentor continue reading my blog entries as I tell my story. You can visit me at www.ActivateYourFreedom.com to learn more about mentorship, and you can look out for my latest book "Quit While Working: A Real Life GPS To Fulfill Your Purpose."
If you would like to learn more from a females perspective then go to www.PursuingYourFreedom.com and the insightful Rhonda Lynn Grant can show you the way to succeed in your Career/Business, Home-Life, and Relationships in through her latest book Pursuing Your Freedom: Breakthrough To The Purposeful Life You've Always Wanted.
Now, I was only able to get so far from just reading books, there was something inside of me that knew I needed a physical mentor right there in front of me to tell me do this first, this second, this third, and so on. One day in the late summer of 2006 I got a invitation in the mail (probably from something I filled out), asking me to come to one of Donald Trump's seminars in Manhattan. And I was quite impressed with the invitation, and I thought if anybody could teach me about business Donald Trump definitely can. Did I forget to mention that it was said it was FREE too!
So, I called one of my close friends Dwayne Hill to come with me and we went downtown to go here Donald trump speak, so we thought. Little did we know that he would only be there via a DVD prerecorded introduction and that was it. They had some other guy do the whole seminar who I never heard of and still can't remember his name. This guy even gave us wonderful information about business and real estate. It pumped us up and made us think of all the possibilities of how we can make money that was realistic. Me and Dwayne were hooked and we both wanted to know more. Both of us along with everyone in the room wanted to know more and how do we get more excellent information. If you have been to one of these you would know at this point is where they tell you how much it costs to go to the next seminar where they teach you even deeper stuff.
I was determined to know more and knowing that to learn more would cost me some money, I looked at it as an investment, so I gave them my credit card and they signed me up for the next seminar. Luckily for my friend Dwayne he was not in the same position at the time financially to move forward so he didn't give them his credit card (I will explain why later and/or in future entries).
That day I was full with excitement! I truly believed that I was taking wise steps along my journey, but little did I know that that was actually the beginning of all my savings being spent on attending seminars and 3-day weekends. At one point I paid for a seminar with three credit cards because it cost so much that I couldn't put it on one card with what my limits were at the time, and one card was my mothers. In the end I paid almost $10,000.00, and what did I get out of all these seminars, pretty much nothing! I got lots of great information, don't get me wrong, but it was so much and so quick that no matter how smart I was I was only able to remember so much. And the worst thing about getting great information, is that it was not practical and it did not give me a starting point or focal point.
I still had no clue how to use any of the information I received for any of those seminars, workshops, or 3-day weekends. So, my journey continues. If you would like to read more of my story and know how I found my mentor continue reading my blog entries as I tell my story. You can visit me at www.ActivateYourFreedom.com to learn more about mentorship, and you can look out for my latest book "Quit While Working: A Real Life GPS To Fulfill Your Purpose."
If you would like to learn more from a females perspective then go to www.PursuingYourFreedom.com and the insightful Rhonda Lynn Grant can show you the way to succeed in your Career/Business, Home-Life, and Relationships in through her latest book Pursuing Your Freedom: Breakthrough To The Purposeful Life You've Always Wanted.
Posted by Aaron Rabinowitz at Monday, July 27, 2009 8:01:00 PM 
Categories: Mentorship
Tags: success seminars money mentorship business education learn information
Categories: Mentorship
Tags: success seminars money mentorship business education learn information
Aaron, when I was reading your blog its sounded like my story I went too countless
seminars also spending a lot of money. I got great information but didn't know what to do with it. So I understand how you felt, can't wait to hear the next part of your story.
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Hi Aaron,
I know there are millions of people (including myself) who can relate to your story. I think it is that human side of us that craves seeking out opportunities in fulfillment of reaching the "American Dream"
I can't wait to read your next article.
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This helped to affirm what I have also been leary of in the past..... presentations that are actually too good to be true. There are a lot of groups out there taking advantage of people's desparation to survive these days with conventional jobs disappearing daily in mass! Like yourself, I have felt fortunate to have met Marc Grant in the midst of this confusion to be able to mentor through the madness. I look forward to reading more of your insightful comments!
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Aaron, I totally agree with what you are saying . Being one of the owners of Flatbush Copy Center I know the struggles of owning a small business and the importance of having a mentor to guide and rely on in taking that business to the next level. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
Look forward to your next article!
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