By Ethan Van De Hey, Marketing Director at MacGillis Wiemer, LLC
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that growth accelerates when you surround yourself with people who have already achieved what you’re striving for. It’s about finding that person who embodies the path you want to take and learning from their experience.
Seek Out Experience: Identify someone who is where you aspire to be in 5, 10, or 20 years. Their first-hand experience is a goldmine of insights that can’t be found in textbooks or online courses. Observe their journey, understand their struggles, and adopt their best practices.
Embrace Expertise: These individuals have already mastered the skills and knowledge necessary for success in their field. Their expertise serves as a roadmap, guiding you past the common pitfalls and helping you reach your goals faster.
Trust the Process: Learning from those who have “been there, done that” establishes a foundation of trust and credibility. It’s not just about listening to their advice but applying their principles and witnessing the results for yourself.
Example: If you’re a personal injury lawyer looking to learn from someone who excels in the field, you might research and discover, “Wow, Chris MacGillis is highly effective at what he does. I’d love to meet him.” The good news is, with some research, you can often find ways to connect—whether it’s an email, phone number, or LinkedIn. Most professionals are open to giving 5-10 minutes of their time if you reach out prepared with thoughtful questions.
Action Step: Who’s someone in your industry or network that you admire? Reach out to them, ask for a coffee meeting, or simply start following their content online. Don’t be afraid to invest in a mentor or coach who can offer the guidance and accountability needed to help you level up.
Remember, we’re all lifelong learners. Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone and pursue wisdom from those who’ve already walked the path.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is the CEO of Local Service Spotlight, a platform that amplifies the reputations of contractors and local service businesses using the Content Factory process. He is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other brands.
Dennis has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs by partnering with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Through Local Service Spotlight, he teaches the Dollar a Day strategy and Content Factory training to help local service businesses enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring.
Dennis coaches young adult agency owners serving plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians, and believes there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers must be certified.