Finding Mentors: Make Yourself Valuable to Valuable People

Wealth isn’t reserved for the lucky few who inherit it. Despite the cultural narrative of “haves” and “have-nots,” surveys indicate that a majority of millionaires are self-made, with figures often cited as ranging from 78% to 88%. However, this percentage can vary depending on the study’s methodology. A study conducted by Ramsey Solutions in 2024 revealed that 79% of millionaires did not inherit their wealth, while a CBS News report noted that 80% consider themselves self-made. How? Through habits, mindset, and surrounding themselves with the right people, they achieved their success.

This is something Bronson Hill knows firsthand. Based on interviews with over 2,500 millionaires, he has discovered consistent patterns in how successful people think, act, and connect. The biggest takeaway? Often, where you start matters less than your peer group, mentors, and willingness to serve others.

You can also apply what he learned from those 2,500 millionaires when it comes to mentorship, value, and building true wealth, as discussed in this article.

Wealth Is About Who You Become

Money isn’t the only thing that defines wealth — it’s the kind of person who attracts and sustains it. According to Bronson, wealth is the result of habits, self-belief, and actions.

This is where the concept of wealth-worthiness comes in. As in relationships and sports, financial success begins with believing you can achieve it. By telling yourself you don’t deserve success, you sabotage your chances. Alternatively, cultivating a mindset of worthiness will lead you to take actions that foster wealth creation.

As a result of this pivot, Bronson’s net worth increased 20X in just a few years. His story reflects a common truth among most millionaires: mindset is the foundation, and habits do the rest.

Why Mentors Matter

Success rarely occurs in isolation. For most high achievers, mentors, peers, and mastermind groups are key components of their success. Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Millionaires live by this principle.

The catch? Mentors don’t just appear when you ask for one. Approaching a successful person and asking, “Will you mentor me? ” is unlikely to get you anywhere. The reason? This type of request adds nothing to a person’s life.

According to Bronson, millionaires focus first on creating value. Their first question is, “How can I help you?” What are you working on? Where can I add value?” By having that mindset, you’ll stand out from the crowd.

It’s easy to catch the attention of high-level people when you bring solutions, ideas, or support to the table. Often, they’re happy to give back once they see your initiative and hunger.

The Four Best Investments You Can Make

As a general rule, personal growth can generally be divided into four categories that consistently provide the highest return on investment (ROI):

• Peer groups. Spend time with people who play the game of life at a higher level. For example, you could join mastermind groups, professional communities, or affinity groups. By being in the right rooms, you can accelerate your thinking and discover opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise discover.
• Mentors. Connect with individuals who have achieved what you aspire to accomplish. Occasionally, they’ll guide you for free, mainly if they’ve found you to be valuable. At other times, you may need to pay for access. In either case, mentorship shortens the learning curve.
• Education. Never stop learning. Books, blog posts, podcasts, conferences, and online courses fuel growth. It’s been claimed that the average CEO reads 50–60 books per year, compared to fewer than 12 for the average American. In short, hungry learners rise faster.
• Experiences. Money isn’t everything; it’s about living fully. Spending time with family, friends, and loved ones creates lasting fulfillment.

Bronson echoes these categories. After a decade in medical sales, he realized he wanted time freedom more than financial freedom. To achieve this, he needed to invest in himself and surround himself with people who were already living the life he wanted.

The Habits of Millionaires

In his research, Bronson identified several habits that distinguish millionaires from others.

They get into the right rooms.

Wealthy people intentionally place themselves in challenging environments. Whether it’s masterminds, conferences, or private networks, proximity is key.

They are relentlessly curious.

Lifelong learning is a hallmark of millionaires. With humility, they devour books, study history, and ask questions. Many adopt the Socratic mindset of “I don’t know—teach me.” This curiosity keeps them relevant and adaptable.

They focus on service first.

They lead with gives rather than asks. When they meet someone they admire, they ask, “How can I support you?” By prioritizing the needs of others, they foster goodwill and cultivate lasting relationships.

They manage self-talk.

It all begins with the inner dialogue. In the same way that negative self-talk sabotages relationships, it also sabotages financial growth. Affirmations, mindset practices, and rewiring your mental “thermostat” are all essential to millionaires’ success.

The Self-Made Majority

According to Bronson’s interviews, wealth is overwhelmingly self-made.

In other words, wealth is accessible to everyone. It’s important to remember that most millionaires didn’t grow up in wealthy families, attend Ivy League schools, or have special connections. By developing habits, seeking mentors, and attending the right events, they made themselves valuable to the right audience.

Unlike generational wealth, which often dissipates by the third generation, self-made millionaires demonstrate that wealth can be created regardless of one’s background.

Becoming Valuable to Valuable People and Mentors

One of Bronson’s favorite quotes comes again from Jim Rohn: “Make yourself valuable to valuable people.”

Think about it. Successful individuals are frequently approached by people seeking financial assistance, introductions, or mentorship. When someone arrives with a plan to give rather than take, they stand out.

That may involve providing them with specific assistance, connecting them with someone in your network, or simply supporting a project they are passionate about. By delivering value without expectation, you create goodwill that often pays off tenfold.

Even if it doesn’t, you’ve built a reputation as someone to be respected.

The Ripple Effect of Growth

A fascinating discovery from Bronson’s journey is the way success in one area often spills over into others. During his Spartan training with a world-class coach, he not only improved athletically but also gained business and personal insight.

Wealth is no different. Business success depends on your ability to invest in your health, relationships, and personal development. By growing across categories, you become more resilient, confident, and competent.

Building Your Own Path

One thing is clear from the experiences of 2,500 millionaires: wealth is built, not passed down. Everyone can cultivate habits of curiosity and service and be surrounded by the right people, regardless of where they start.

If you want to level up, start with these steps:

• Audit your peer group. Right now, who are your top five influences? Are they pushing you forward or holding you back?
• Seek mentors intentionally. Rather than just asking for mentorship, offer value first.
• Invest in your growth. Read more, attend events, and stay curious.
• Adopt a service-first mindset. Before asking, think about how you can give.
• Believe you’re worthy. Your mindset determines financial success.

Wealth isn’t reserved for a select few. It comes naturally as a result of creating value for others first, and then for yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Your mindset is the foundation. Before you can build wealth, you must believe you can. In particular, wealth-worthiness is essential. When you cultivate a mindset of deserving success, you will take actions that will help you achieve your financial goals, while negative self-talk can sabotage them.
• Wealth is who you become, not what you have. Wealth is more than just a number in a bank account. It’s the byproduct of your habits, character, and actions. Those whom Bronson interviewed did not stumble into money; they developed the skills to attract and sustain it.
• Lead with value, not ask. Changing your mindset from a “taker” to a “giver” is key. Instead of requesting mentorship from valuable people, focus on how you can contribute to them. When you ask, “How can I help you?” you demonstrate initiative and a service-first attitude.
• Proximity is power. When you intentionally surround yourself with people who are playing the game of life at a higher level, whether through masterminds, conferences, or peer groups, you accelerate your growth.
• Curiosity fuels growth. Millionaires are relentless learners. Their thirst for knowledge never ceases; they constantly seek out new information. As a result, you remain relevant and adaptable in an ever-changing environment.
• Your growth compounds. Personal development shouldn’t be thought of in silos. During Bronson’s Spartan race training, for instance, growth in one area often ripples into others. By investing in your health, relationships, and skills, you will be more likely to succeed financially as well as in other areas.
• The path is accessible. Ultimately, wealth is not a matter of luck or inheritance. Millionaires are typically self-made, and the path is open to anyone willing to work hard. The key is to develop the proper habits, seek mentors, and consistently add value.

Featured Image Credit: Kaboompics.com; Pexels: Thank you!