Step into your new space

Use your life lessons to teach

When you think about adding value to the lives of others one of the ways that you can do that is to teach lessons that you have learned. Your profession and your unique experiences have in many ways shaped how you approach life. Even if you feel like you have not yet mastered your craft…you still have much to add to the conversation. Understand the following key points.

You don’t have to be an expert to add value (1). Even if you have only been in business for a year do you realize that you have more experience than the new entrepreneur who is still at the concept stage? You can teach them about the challenges you had raising capital or what you have learned about the importance of choosing the right location for your business. You can help others avoid many of the pitfalls that you encountered when you first started to market your business and how you will position yourself moving into year 2 based on your newfound insight.
You gain knowledge by teaching others (1). It is common knowledge that teaching is the best way to learn a new topic. As you share what you do know you are emptying your mind to receive new information and you are also strengthening concepts that you have learned. As you share information with others you will find that new strategies and ideas will emerge that you can use for yourself. It will also become evident to you that you know more than you thought you did about the topic. Also, when you identify gaps in your understanding you will be motivated to go learn what you don’t know because you understand there are others looking to you for information that will help their business, ministry, or even marriage to grow. Having others look to you for wisdom and insight is both a powerful responsibility and an amazing opportunity.
Teaching builds your brand and provides greater exposure (1). It introduces others to your business and allows people to connect with you at the early stage. Remember that business is relational and people will invest in you and what you have to share when you are willing to invest in them. Even if you don’t feel ready…remember those you are sharing with are not experts any more than you are (1). They will just be grateful for your willingness to share your wisdom. The more practical the information is the more tuned in the audience will be. The other thing to keep in mind is that you can be and should be teaching others AS you are learning new information. In other words, you don’t need an entire book of information or experiences before you can begin to teach others. If you learned a new social media strategy yesterday then you can do a quick live video on your favorite social media platform (i.e. Instagram or Facebook) and share that strategy with your audience today. In fact, that may be considered even MORE powerful because the information is current and there is a passion that will be evident when you share your thoughts.

Be both the learner and the teacher

Always be a student of the game. Look for opportunities to learn from the experiences of others with the same enthusiasm you teach. What are examples lessons that we can learn from the lives of others?

Ralph Braun was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a young boy, and doctors determined that he would never walk again (2). He defied the odds and went on to design and engineer the first battery-powered scooter and eventually the world’s first wheelchair lift (2). In the same way Ralph turned tragedy into triumph you can accomplish the same thing in your life.

Do you see how powerful this concept is for your life? So, I challenge you to step into a new space. Become intentional about being both the learner and the teacher. This flow of information will propel you towards your destiny in ways that you could have never imagined. You will look back and say, “Wow, what an amazing journey this has been.” But you start by taking the first step…commit to teaching, inspiring, and motivating others…and commit to becoming a lifelong learner.

References: