Ankur Syal

Sep 16, 2024 • 4 min read

Why I Don’t Mentor—And How My Toolkits Can Help You Instead

An Alternative to Mentoring: 20 Checklists, 9 Templates, and 1 Thailand trip (NOT REALLY)

Why I Don’t Mentor—And How My Toolkits Can Help You Instead

Lately, I’ve been getting hit with DMs and emails asking, "Do you mentor?" or "Can you mentor me?"

Short answer: No, I don’t. Long answer: Still no.

I don’t have the polished skills people usually associate with a mentor. Yes, I have the knowledge and the experience, but when it comes to mentoring, I just don’t see myself in that role. My experience is raw—unpolished, if you will.

Also, I wouldn’t even know where to start. Pretty sure I’d be terrible at it. But this got me thinking.

I’ve been where many of these people are now. I remember wishing someone would just show me exactly what to do—step-by-step, no fluff, just clear direction. like the Red Skull guiding others (okay, maybe not that dramatic, but you get the idea).

At first, I built a basic checklist—a simple, step-by-step plan to help others stay on track. But then I thought, "This isn’t enough." (Cue over-engineering mode!)

I began putting in a few hours every day, thinking about what I really needed when I was just starting out. And then I started building—expanding that initial checklist into sub-checklists, breaking things down in more detail, and adding valuable resource templates along the way.

The result? A guide that’s way more affordable than hiring a mentor.

Now, don’t get me wrong. If you feel like you absolutely need a mentor, by all means, go for it—a mentor is a mentor. But this resource I’ve created? It’s designed to save you countless hours you’d otherwise spend watching business podcasts on YouTube figuring out what to do.

This is my way of giving back, minus the traditional mentoring.

Here it is: 5 Sections, 20 Checklists, 9 Templates You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Definitely Do)

Instead of drowning in the chaos, I’ve bundled together 20 checklists divided into 5 sections that are designed to guide you through the essential tasks. Whether you’re just starting your freelancing journey, managing multiple client projects, or gearing up to launch your own startup, these checklists have got you covered.

But that’s not all! I’ve also included templates for each checklist to ensure you're not just ticking boxes but also getting the resourceful templates needed to execute them.

  1. Website Setup: Because, let’s face it, your online presence is everything. (Plus, templates will make sure you cover every detail, from hosting to SEO basics).

  2. Product Launch: You’ve got the idea—now let’s make sure the world knows about it. (Get the pre-launch checklist and timeline templates to execute a flawless launch.)

  3. Social Media Management: Stop posting and hoping. Start strategizing and winning. (I’ve added a calendar template to plan your social media campaigns.)

  4. Client Onboarding: Keep things smooth, professional, and efficient from day one. ( The onboarding checklist paired with a communication template will ensure nothing is missed.)

  5. Project Management: Because nobody likes surprises (unless it’s their birthday). (With the task-tracking sheet, you can easily monitor project milestones and deadlines.)

Why You Need This

Each checklist is tailored to make sure you don’t miss a beat, whether you’re trying to impress a client or launch the next big thing. I’ve stripped away the fluff and left you with clear, actionable steps. No more guessing what comes next. Now, with the included templates, you'll have everything organized in one place to execute flawlessly.

Perfect for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Over-Achievers Alike

This isn’t just for people who are starting out, though it’s a lifesaver if you are. These checklists are also perfect if you’re looking to streamline how you manage projects or if you’re ready to turn that side hustle into a full-fledged startup. The added templates make it even more efficient, cutting down on your decision-making time.

The Bottom Line: Start Smart, Stay Organized

You’ve got the drive, the ideas, and the ambition. Now all you need is a plan. These five checklists (and the templates that come with them) will help you stay organized, focused, and on track, no matter what stage you’re at. So grab them, get your templates, and get to work. You’ve got big things to do.

Get Your Checklists and Templates from Here

Download the full checklists, and templates for all five areas here:

For Domestic: https://topmate.io/ankursyal/1134525

For Outside India: https://ankursyal.gumroad.com/l/a-client-centric-blueprint

Want to read more about freelancing?

Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://ankursyal.substack.com/

Join Ankur on Peerlist!

Join amazing folks like Ankur and thousands of other designers and developers.

Create Profile

Join with Ankur’s personal invite link.