Really, you can’t wait around or hope – you have to go for it.  In many cases, you may already have one or a likely candidate and not know it. To really be sure, get out more!  Go to events, professional meetups, conventions, etc.

Ellen: The most common advice I’ve gotten is once you find someone who draws your attention, either because their success/message reminds you of things you need to hear, or because they are walking the exact path you’d like to take, or for whatever other reason they are wonderful, and straight-up ask them for advice, meetings, or other forms of guidance, depending on the relationship. If you’ve chosen your mentor wisely, they are too touched to say no.

Serdar: “When the student is ready, the master will appear.”

Meaning that once you reach a certain level of ambition and desire on your part, you will begin to recognize that much more readily the presence of a mentor, near or afar. Steve’s right in that you do have to stick your neck out, though. People rarely come up to you and ask to take you under their wing — and if you do, you have every reason to be skeptical and cautious about such behavior.