Should I shift my focus to mentoring others or teaching?

Deciding whether to shift your focus to mentoring or teaching is a deeply personal choice that should align with your values, passions, and life goals. Let's unpack this step-by-step:

1. Reflect on Your Why: Start by asking yourself why you want to mentor or teach. Is it to give back, to develop your leadership skills, to find new fulfillment, or maybe a combination of these? Clarity on your why will guide your decision.

2. Assess Your Skills: Consider the skills you’ve acquired from your corporate and freelancing experiences. Do you have knowledge or expertise that others would benefit from? Your journey, complete with pivots and the messy middle, is full of lessons worth sharing.

3. Evaluate the Impact: Mentoring and teaching can be incredibly rewarding, but require time and emotional investment. Will this shift allow you to have the impact you're seeking in others' lives?

4. Practical Considerations: Look at the logistics—does this shift fit into your current lifestyle or financial goals? Assess whether pursuing mentoring or teaching can provide a sustainable income, or if it would be a passion project or side venture for the time being.

5. Pilot and Adapt: You don't have to go all in immediately. Start small—offer one-on-one mentoring sessions or host a workshop. Use this time to gauge your interest and effectiveness in this role. Just like in my Capture, Develop, Expose framework, begin by capturing insights into the process, develop your teaching style, and expose your content to a small audience.

6. Redefine Success: Remember, it’s crucial to define what success means for you in this new role. Is it about transforming lives? Is it about creating a legacy? This personal definition will keep you grounded as you transition.

7. Seek Feedback: Engage with those you mentor or teach to gather feedback. This will not only help you improve but also confirm if you're creating the impact you intend.

During my transition from an engineering role to a creative career, I found that helping others navigate similar paths not only reinforced my learnings but fueled my passion. Be open to the idea that mentoring could show you new ways to approach your work and life. Whatever path you choose, make sure it resonates deeply with your sense of purpose and fulfillment.